Above: a close up of the mosaic work at the Grand Palace, Bankgok; one of the many buildings which make up the Grand Palace
SPLENDORS OF SIAM
You are looking at one of the most photographed and recognized landmarks in Bangkok's Imperial Palace. Should you find yourself in Bangkok, the entire complex is one not to be missed. Plan at least a couple of hours, if not the whole day, as there is a lot to cover.
When I went to Thailand a few years ago, I also visited Chiang Mai to the north, where a lot of the Saa paper is made and turned into all sorts of decorative items, like lamps, stationery, journals, etc.. The market had already begun its saturation with Thai papers, so it was imperative that I find grades which were not found as readily as the ubiquitous floral papers, or the colored Unryu papers. Our source in Thailand most definitely produces and stocks these papers, but in addition, they also have on-site artists which produce some splendid examples of marbled, painted and decorative papers which I find extremely unique.
Have a look below and let me know which ones you'd like to order!
Batik Swirl Blue
Batik Butterfly
Batik Sunflower
Batik Holiday Candles
Batik Grapes
Batik Xmas Bells
Batik Sheep
Batik Snowmen
Batik Dokmai
BATIK
Batik papers are a speciality of Thailand. Batik was originally created on fabrics and the process was adapted some 15 years ago by a group of papermakers in Chiang Mai. The technique requires great patience and skill and each paper is truly a work of art. Wonderful for album and box covering and decorative crafts.
Each handmade sheet is decorated in size 22" x 30½", 65 gsm. The suggested retail per sheet is $3.20.
WHAT IS DOK MAI?
The Tak Bat Dok Mai is a Buddhist ceremony in which locals offer flowers to the monks as a way of making merit. The ceremony is unique to Saraburi province. In addition to the offerings of cooked rice, food, incense, candles and other conventional sacred items, the Tak Bat Dok Mai ritual includes offerings of Dok Khao Phansa flowers that only come into bloom during the Buddhist Lent.
The Dok Khao Phansa, the yellow flowers with smaller violet petals, is commonly found in Saraburi province. As the Dok Khao Phansa becomes an increasingly rare find these days, lotus, jasmine and rose have become acceptable alternatives for these floral offerings.
In the morning of the first day of the Buddhist Lent, residents of the community engage in merit-making activities by presenting offerings to the resident monks at the Wat Phra Buddhabat temple. Later in the morning, young couples venture out into the forested foothills to gather the Dok Khao Phansa flowers. Meanwhile in the district area, the candle procession and the "Tak Bat Dok Mai" procession head towards the temple courtyard.
Unryu paper is one of the most popular grades of papers from Asia, no matter where it is made. It is usually lightweight, translucent and very strong. Its appeal is owed to the dragon like swirls, or cloud like formation of the fibers inside the sheet; thus the name "dragon paper", or "cloud paper". While it is available in an untold number of solid colors, we were hoping to find printed sheets which were significantly different from what was currently available on the market, and I think we have.
All of the Unryu sheets you see to the right are machine made; they are printed using the traditional hand silkscreen method. The sheet itself is 25 gsm. in size 18" x 25½" with trimmed edges. Suggested retail prices for these sheets are $2.95/ea.
Interestingly, many of the papers represent mythical figures and legendary charms and amulets. For instance, the elements of fire, water and air are artisitically translated onto the Unryu; pharaonic figures also appear in a rich maroon color on a light grey Unryu. Romantic symbols of the modern era are not forgotten either, and arrive as red flowers and red hearts. Gingham has also surfaced in red/white and green/white.
For any kind of eventful rite of passage, the paper "Celebrate" fits in marvelously with its joined champagne glasses; not shown, but available are blue and pink baby papers. Some of the fauna is typical by way of elephants which are revered in Thailand (see erawan), and the friendly fruit bat. We are all familiar with the significance of the Bodhi leaf, or Bo leaf as it is called in Thailand.
The Naga mystical creature resembles a serpent of sorts. Legend says the nagas possess immense intelligence and magical power. They can, for instance, transform themselves into humans and walk unnoticed in the world of men. It was believed they inhabited grand underwater palaces, rather like the dragons of China.
Red Hearts
Fruit Bats
Fire
Red Flowers
Air
Buried Treasure Charm
Egyptian Gods
Cornucopia
Winter
Success Charm
Green Gingham
Silver Stars on blue
Silver Stars on green
Oriental Plants
Water
Hearts
Celebrate
Autumn
Kanji Script
Flower
Bodhi Leaf
Summer
Banana Tree
Red Gingham
Alchemy
Naga Mythical Creature
Fire
Elephants
Thai Script.
Lava
Silver Stars on blue
Earth
Silver Stars on Green
Tibetan Script
PAINTED PAPERS
The papers to the right are hand painted by residing artists, and as such, no two are ever exactly the same. This makes them that much more enchanting and beautiful. Each sheet is made on a hand mould, size 22" x 30½", and will naturally have 4 deckles. It's like owning an original work of art. At 65 gsm, they are perfect for elegant book bindings, linings, fly leaves, stationery items, decorative objects, even shoji screens. The MSRP on these papers is $3.50/sheet.
Painted Paper Pink
Painted Paper Red/Orange
Painted Paper Blue/Green
Painted Paper Burgundy
Painted Paper Magenta
Painted Paper Fire Orange
Painted Paper Blue
Painted Paper Yellow
HAND PAINTED MARBLES
Below are the latest hand marbleized papers from Chiang Mai. Like the painted papers, each is individually created, and therefore, is unique. They are size 22" x 30½" with 4 deckle edges, and weigh 55 gsm. The suggested retail price is $3.50/sheet.
