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Nielloware is decorated containers and jewellery made from silver and gold treated with a special tar mixture. First, carvings are made on the item ; then, the mixture is poured over it, after this, it is polished. The resulting affect is dark carvings silhouetted against bright backgrounds Local nielloware began centuries ago, when King Narai ordered the King of Nakhon Si Thammarat to find the best craftsmen to send to Ayuthaya. There they made nielloware for the Pope of the Vatican and for King Louis the Fourteenth of France The nielloware in Nakhon is of two kinds, silver and gold. Nielloware craftsmanship is taught at the Nakhon Si Thammarat Arts and Crafts College. Nielloware may be bought at Thanon Tha Chang.
Silverware, known as the best handicraft in Nakhon Si Thammarat, is centuries old. It is made into many kinds of jewellery, including necklaces, earrings, and bracelets, as well as betel - nut containers and drinking cups. Silver ware artwork is exhibited at Wat Phra Mahathart, the three outstand- ing pieces are the Betel - Nut tree, the bai phlu tree, and a silverware ship that the people of Lansaka built as an offering to the Buddha. Another impor- tant piece is a belt woven from silver threads. Some jewellery,known as Sam Khasat , is made from a combination of silver and an alloy of gold and copper. Another famous type of silverware, Namo, is typical in Nakhon Si Thamma- rat but unique in other places Nakhon Silverware is produced and sold in Thanon Tha Chang.
Yfrom a plant growing in the area. Each step of weaving comes from a long tradition. In the past, Yan Lipao was woven into many kinds of products for royalty and the sristocracy. Today , however , Yan Lipao is popular with the general public, made into bags. The handles of the bags are sometimes made of nielloware, making the bags more artistic and valuable. A Yan Lipao Centre may be visited at the Tha Rua Village(11 kilometres from town) on Highway 4019, in Na Kain, Phosadet ; also, at the army camp in Amphur Muang. |
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