Asian Geographic-April 2018

Made in

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai was once a centre

of knowledge, architecture

and commerce, and attracted

settlers who brought with them

handicrafts like silverware,

umbrellas and woodcarvings

CRAFTY KINGDOM

Silverware-Making

Wualai’s beautiful silverware originates from

the time King Mangrai established Chiang Mai

in the 13th century as the capital of the Lanna

Kingdom. After negotiating with the city of

Bagan to bring Burmese craftsmen to Chiang

Mai to teach local townspeople the artistry

of silver-crafting, the city’s local silverware

industry was created and the skills have since

been carried down through the generations.

Almost every house had a small factory, and

people bought silver from Chinese merchants

in Chiang Mai’s downtown to forge silverware

for daily use and for sale: bowls, paddle

trays, and the like. Men moulded and forged

the silver, while women carved and sold the

finished pieces.

As trade with different areas progressed,

the raw material for silverware pieces grew

varied – from Burmese rupees to coins from

China’s autonomous region of Xishuangbanna

Dai. Today, silver accessories and decorations

are also popular, featuring prominently on the

roofs of temples like Wat Sri Suphan – also

known as the Silver Temple.

WHEN

9am–5pm daily

WHERE

Wualai Walking Street,

Wualai village

HOW

From Chiang Mai

International Airport, it’s a

15-minute taxi ride

EXPERIENCE

SILVERWARE-

MAKING

Text and Photos

Tourism Authority of Thailand

CHIANG MAI

Wualai