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PRODUCTION OF CELADIN
THE NATURE of CELADON The name 'celadon' derived from two Sanskrit words: 'sila', meaning 'stone', and 'dhara', meaning 'green'. Therefore, 'Celadon' means green stone. Celadon comes in many shades and styles, being found in tones of light and dark gray, honey yellow, green and green-yellow, olive green, blue-green and brown. Celadon is a kind of high-fired stoneware with a wood-ash glaze, which is hand-made by a traditional process. It is a manmade attempt to duplicate opaque jade, since jade is seen as a natural stone which is strong and beautiful, and which brings the owner good luck and success. Emerald-green celadon is not only thick and strong but also delicately cracked glazed surface.The cracks are caused by a difference in the coefficient of contraction between the body of the clay body of celadon product and the glaze when the product is cooling. This 'cracking' creates its unique value and beauty. BACKGROUND of CELADON
From the earliest times, Thai people had produced simple earthenware for their daily use, but the goods produced in Sukhothai by Chinese methods were far finer and different from anything produced previously in Thailand or Southeast Asia. Sukhothai wares were strong with a dull gray color of paste. At the same time a pottery of much higher quality than Sukhothai was produced at Sawankalok, 75km further north. The pottery from both places were so different, but with a beautiful green glaze on the one from Sawankalok, the name 'celadon' became very popular. After Chiang Mai became a control under Ayuttaya, ceramics industries started in various parts of the North, for example, the kilns at Kalong (Chiang Rai), Sankampaeng (Chiang Mai) and others. Since then, the ceramics industries in the North especially in Chiang Mai have grown and Celadon has become the best known among the three main types of ceramics. It can be said that Celadon produced in Chiang Mai is better known than Celadon produced in other provinces in Thailand. Nowadays, there are several modern kilns in Chiang Mai which produce excellent contemporary Celadon by ancient methods.
USES of CELADON THE VALUE of CELADON Each tool or crafted object has been improved in every possible way during the long period of its use. Celadon reflects the uncomplicated feelings and spirit of the local craftsmen whose imagination and effort are fully utilized in its production. Practical celadon wares consist of items such as cups, plates, bowls, trays and others. Besides celadon for daily use, some celadon products such as a Thai god statue, a symbol of people's worship to their god, are valued for their spiritual function. The works not only reflect the cultures, traditions, customs and religious beliefs of the makers but also reflect the feeling and state of mind of the craftsmen. Creation of celadon ware needs the skills of craftsmen to judge whether its form and decorative patterns go together and whether it possesses artistic beauty. Celadon product is considered as valuable art since only it can show the right combinations and patterns. With an expressive value, some celadon works express the simplicity, firmness of feeling of each craftsman. The tenderness, love of arts and faith of craftsmen are also expressed through their celadon works.
HOW CELADON IS MADE STEP 1: The first step is clay preparation. The stoneware clay, which knows as “din dam”, is prepared. Normally, the clay originates from the Chiang Mai area. STEP 2: The dried stoneware clay is reduced to powder and sieved. Then, it is mixed with water and passed through a plug mill to improve the blending. STEP 3: Before being thrown in the wheel, the clay is kneaded to remove air bubbles. Then, the clay is thrown on the wheel. This process is called “ Foaming on the wheel”, one of the three foaming process. The other foaming processes are ‘cast molding', and foaming by ‘jigger' (rotating the clay under a foaming knife). STEP 4: After being thrown, the products are allowed to dry naturally in the air. Drying seems like a very simple process, but in fact it is rather complicated because pieces of clay that are dried too fast tend to crack and those pieces of clay are smaller when they dry and when they are first mold.
STEP 5: Next, the products are often hand carved, incised or embellished with great decoration. STEP 6: The design of the decorations depends on the imaginations of the carvers. STEP 7: Then the products are allowed to dry naturally in the air again. STEP 8: The next step is biscuit firing. The products are fire at the temperature of 800°C for 6-8 hours. The purpose is to harden the clay so that it is easily glazed
STEP 9: After a clay body has been bisque fired, the major decorative technique is associated with glazing. However, designs may be painted onto biscuit ceramics before glazing. STEP 10: Floral patterns are painted on biscuit products. STEP 11: Then the biscuit products are glazed by dipping in a glazed mix made of ash from Overcus belutina and Terminaliaalate heyna. There are small trees that can be found in the jungles of Northern Chiang Mai. STEP 12: The products are fired at an initial temperature of 1250°C, which is then gradually increased to temperature of 13°C. The total firing lasts 8-10 hours. After taking the products from the kilns cracking begins, giving celadon its distinctive appearance. At Baan celadon finishing is the final step in manufacturing the products. All goods are inspected to ensure quality and design are according to our standards. Base ridges are scraped clean of glaze, small imperfections corrected, final touches are added, and goods are hand-polished before packing.
Goods destined for our overseas customers are carefully packed so that they arrive undamaged. Our expert packers know how to protect even delicate ceramic products to survive rough handling during shipment. Their record is excellent, with very few products suffering breakage and requiring an insurance claim. PRODUCT RANGES HOME DECOR with CELADON Choices:
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CELADON for SPA & HOTEL Choices:
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