Basic HTML Version
Intellectual Cultural Heritage
67
Yan Li Phao
Basketry
Yan Li Phao
basketry is made of a type of vine in
the Lygodium fern family which grows profusely in the
South of Thailand. Called
yan
in the Southern vernacular,
the vine of this plant is very sturdy and therefore
suitable for basketry. The centre of this craft is in Mon
Village, Tha Ruea Sub-District, Mueang District, Nakhon
Si Thammarat.
The weaving process of
yan li phao
basketry
starts with the splitting of the vine into very fine strips
and the smoothing of their surface. The strips are then
woven onto the frames made of rattan or bamboo to
produce various types of container such as wide-rimmed
baskets, betel nut boxes, tobacco boxes, footed trays,
teapot holders, ceremonial bowls for flowers, candles
and incense sticks, bird cages, and handbags. Besides
the weaving designs, the different natural colours of the
li phao
vine strips and the bamboo or
Ling Ro
warps also
add to the beauty of the products. Decorative pieces in
silver and gold nielloware added to the baskets increase
their value.
Yan li phao
basketry demonstrates the intricacy
and perseverance of the craftsmen and brings pride and
joy to the owners. Moreover, the
li phao
vine weaving
technique has developed further both in the design and
the decoration of the products. There are now many
types of
yan li phao
souvenirs.