The monks from Nakhon Si Thammarat ware invited to preach sermons in many other cities including the Sukhothai Empire. Hence Nakhon Si Thammarat was known as "Muang Phra" or "City of Monks" Phra Baromatat Chedi or Pagoda of Sacred Relics has been highly revered by the citizens of Nakhon Si Thammarat and nearby provinces. The Pagoda itself is the symbol of religious glory and the faith of local people which never dies down till today. Based on historical account, Phra Baromatat Chedi was erected in B.E. 854th but archaeologists held that it was built around B.E. 18th and had been restored many times since then. Phra Baromatat Chedi is situated in Phra Baromatat Voraviharn Temple. Within the temple compound there are other roofed galleries encircling the Chedi e.g. Viharn Thapkaset or Phra Rabiang TeentatZthe pedestal on which Phra Barmatat Chedi), Viharn Mah, Viharn Khien, Viharn Polang, (Viharn Polang or Viharn Khot where there are 173 Buddha images inside the cloister), Viharn Phrapanya, Viharn Luang where religious ceremonies are performed,etc. Nakhon Si Thammarat was ruled by Siam during the golden Reign of King Rama the Fifth who thereafter changed its administration by appointing "Chao Muang" or Lord of the Province to be in charge of overall administration. After 1932 (B.E. 2475) Nakhon Si Thammarat become a province under the central administration but local merchants kept on having their trade relationsmostly with Singapore, Malaysia and Penang.
Nakhon Nielloware There is historical evidence that nielloware has been used for household appliances since the reign of King Boramatriloknat of the Ayutthaya Period; and during the reign of King Narat, it is recorded that he ordered the governor of Nakhon Si Thammarat to send a highly-skilled niello silversmith to Ayutthaya to make niello- ware gifts to send to King Louis XIV of France and to His Holiness,the Pope, in Rome. Although fairly well known,Thai nielloware did not become famous until the early Rattanakosin Period when Chao Phraya Nakhon(Noi) presented a niello carriage and throne to King Rama III. The throne was used for official audiences. Later, Chao Phraya Nakhon(Noi Klang) presented King Rama IV with a royal barge with niello planks and furniture embelloished with niello and, since then, niello- ware has been popular as a presentation gif. Gold and black are the two kinds of Nakhon Nielloware which are produced: the black normally bears silver designs and gold niello is covered with gold designs. The nielloware smith will apply real gold, mixed with mercury which is painted on a piece of silver that has a design on it. This is placed over a fire so that mercury evaporates leaving the gold clinging firmly to the silver. Later the finished product is polished until it shines. Nakhon Nielloware has its own identity and is difficult to copy. All items are amde by highly-skilled craftsmen producing a very fine finish. Nielloware items make perfect gifts and are useful as personal accessories. They also demonstrate the cultural heritage handed down by past generations. |
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