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Intellectual Cultural Heritage
69
Wiang Kalong
Pottery
Wiang Kalong
pottery is underglazed ceramic
pottery that features various food containers, dinner
service, kitchenware and household objects such as
dinner plates, footed trays, cups, vases, jars,
khontho
(long-necked water vessel),
nam ton
(water pots), as
well as underglazed ceramic figures, such as human and
animal figures. The major source of production is in
Wiang Pa Pao District, Chiang Rai Province.
The production process begins with clay (kaolin)
preparation. Kaolin is kneaded and shaped on a spinning
wheel (spun by hand or foot), then the clay pieces
are baked in a kiln, before they are decorated with
underglaze pigments, glazed, and fired again.
Wiang Kalong
pottery (and other glazed pottery) is
used by the upper class people and therefore it reflects
the long development of the culture that used it,
testifying to the long settlement and secure foundation of
a community in the area, which allowed the inhabitants
to develop the technique and the production base of
ceramic pottery. Significantly, the source of the principal
raw material, kaolin, must be found in the area. Kaolin is
resistant to high temperature and can be used to make
high-quality pottery or porcelain.
The specif ic characteristics of
Wiang Kalong
pot tery are the br ight whi te c lay and the black
underglaze pigment that is found locally and used to
decorate the clay pieces in various motifs such as fish,
bird, and flower. The decorative designs look gracefully
delicate, lively, and difficult to imitate.
Wiang Kalong
pottery is beautifully and thinly glazed. The glaze is
clear, smooth and even, although it is not very shiny.