Crafting luxury

FOLLOWING IN the royal footsteps of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit in promoting Thai arts and crafts to the young generation and to the world, the Support Arts and Crafts International Centre of Thailand or Sacict is all set to launch “Lux by Sacict”, a new brand that showcases Thailand’s highest-quality crafts.

Unlike other leading brands, Lux is not just about the quality of the materials, which include gold, basketry, metal work and textile. Rather, to qualify for the label, each piece must owe its creation to ancient know-how.

The first collection to hit the markets is named “Gold Touch” and features sophisticated products created by various masters long celebrated in their respective fields along with the innovations of new generation artisans made according to the original techniques.

“The idea of gold as a luxury material is universal. It is a natural element that is highly valued by nearly every culture. Our Gold Touch collection aims to demonstrate that these sophisticated handicrafts by master craftsmen are every bit as appreciated as gold. In fact, these artisans are our gold,” says Pimpapaan Chansilpa, chief executive of Sacict.

The collection highlights the work of goldsmiths from Phetchaburi and Sukhothai as well as nielloware masters of Nakhon Si Thammarat. 

“We have chosen to highlight these categories because all the pieces are made purely according to ancient know-how. We would like to tell the world how each technique was developed through good relationships with other countries, such as China, who taught our ancestors many techniques related to gold- and silver-smithing. We want the new generation to learn the story behind the delicate handicrafts and make them proud of these valuable items,” explains Panwilas Paepuang, acting head of Sacict’s marketing department.

The masters who have joined the project are Weeratham Tragoonngernthai, whose speciality is gold brocade, Metta Selanon who crafts stone set bowls, Thamnong Rungseethong, a traditional goldsmith from Pan Thong district, Thanin Chuenjai, who crafts gilded lacquer ware, Nikhom Nok-aksorn, the ace artisan of nielloware art at Pak Phanang, and Urai Tang-iam, an expert in Benjarong or Pentachrome porcelain. Sukothai goldsmith Pramote Khaohen, who was recognised as a Craftsman Descendant of 2013, and Khon mask-maker Wattana Kaewdoungyai, a Craftsman Descendant of 2014, are also joining the project. 

“The masters and craftsman descendants are very happy to join our activities because they have long felt discouraged by the ignorance of the public. People today tend to overlook the beauty and significance of handicrafts. Many precious crafts couldn’t withstand the pressures of the changing world and died out. We have to save, preserve and revive Thai arts and crafts by educating the public and instilling pride in their hearts. Our strategy lies in the way that we honour the masters of the crafts, boost their morale, and promote their works to Thai and international consumers. The whole process will raise their income and the national economy concurrently with their pride.

“By collaborating with the masters and their successors, these artisans can create unique and meaningful pieces and the buyers or recipients of these can be proud to be a part of handicraft conservation. This, in turn, encourages handicraft masters to keep working and pass on their skills to the next generation,” says Pimpapaan.

 

 

While conservation of ancient arts and crafts is the main focus, the project also recognises the need to encourage creativity and incorporate new technology. Thanks to a thorough understanding of culture, both old and new, experienced masters and their descendants bring their traditional crafts to contemporary utilities that match the modern lifestyle. 

For example, mobile phone cases and flash drives in lacquer ware by Chakrit Suwanchompoo, one of the 10 Craftsmanship Descendants of 2013, have been particularly well-received.

“These enhancements add value to the item. A flash drive is simply a small data bank, but when skilfully created, it makes a nice gift with sentimental value. I really love Chakrit’s phone case with the old golden Thai coin pattern and it’s constantly admired by friends and colleagues. I feel like I am holding a gold coin in my hand,” says Pimpapaan.

“Since its establishment more than 10 years ago, Sacict has put all its efforts into becoming the centre of support for Thai handicrafts. Our mission is to put Thai crafts, craft communities, master artisans, and craftsmanship descendants on the global stage. True to our founding philosophy, the organisation has been working in line with Her Majesty the Queen’s initiatives for the restoration, preservation and continuation of the Thai folk arts in rural communities. We have also simultaneously propagated the knowledge base of local wisdom to help local folk earn supplementary income from these vocational skills.

“Lux by Sacict is another big step forward. In the next three or four years, we plan to present our Lux collection to various art hubs of the world like Italy, France and USA. We also wish to pitch our collection to famous museums in Europe. We would like to build a stage for our sophisticated artisans and their descendants so our Thai crafts and craft masters can really shine,” says Pimpapaan.

“Lux by Sacict” will be officially launched next month.

 

THAI TREASURES

>>> Lux by Sacict products are available at the Sacict outlets in Amarin Plaza and Suvarnabhumi Airport.

>>> Find out more at www.Sacict.net or call (035) 367 054-9 and (02) 507 6964.