Lifting their trunks, two green elephants trumpet their happiness. An important part of Thai culture, elephants are a symbol of Old Siam. Thatsanee and Ramphan craft the pair by hand in the tradition of celadon ceramic arts, renowned for its subtly crackled glaze.
 

Product Features:

• Measures 2.6 inches high x 1.9 inches wide x 2.6 inches deep
• Worldstock Country: Thailand
• Accent Type: Figurine
• Material: Ceramic
• Color: Green

Story Behind the Art:
Thatsanee was born in Sankamphang, a land of beautiful and attractive handicrafts, celadon items chief among them. The advantage of working in the bank was that I could access fund resources so that I got some small capital to be able to start up a little celadon kiln and workshop along with my partner Kanda. Working with celadon was a dream of mine, and being able to focus my life in this special traditional craft of Thailand brought deep meaning to me. Soon after I was joined by Ramphan Khumsingkaew, an extraordinary painter. She says we are artists in the celadon ceramic tradition, one of the three main ceramic styles in Thailand, dating back many hundreds of years. The traditional green tones of the glaze are intended to bring to mind the tonal qualities of jade. The celadon glaze is thick and strong, yet has many intricate weblike cracks in its surface for an antique feel. I initially learned how to paint basic patterns such as bamboo and lotus, focusing on that for a period of three years. Then I learned more intricate and artistic Thai patterns that I have been painting up to now. My inspiration comes from Thai culture and traditions, and my personal experiences in day-to-day life. Painting on celadon can be quite difficult, for this kind of ceramic has a rough surface; it requires much skill and patience, and it sometimes takes me a month to complete a single piece. Celadon is anchored in the Lanna culture. The fine skill needed to create it and that it is useful in these modern times is what makes the work meaningful. We specialize in seven main categories, which include monotone celadon (in green or blue); carved; art design (where the color is painted under the glazing); Lanna Celadon (depicting Lanna life); Benja Celadon (featuring five main colors); lacquer Celadon (applying lacquer ware texture); and Celadon Jewelry, which is elegant and unique celadon jewelry. As a local Thai woman, I feel so proud to have the chance to create and present unique celadon items to the world. The success we have been reaping is not just from the celadon we love. It is from the nice, gentle and humble mentality from our ancestors that has been passed on to all of us. Working with celadon was a dream of mine, and being able to focus my life in this special traditional craft of Thailand has brought deep meaning to me.