Thursday, August 15, 2013

Hippo-Head-Candle-Holder

Thailand is not only famous for its silk, but also for its ceramics. The most famous one is called: Bencharong, colorful and wonderfully hand painted pieces (google images for an impression). The other more modest looking one is called Celadon (www.baanceladon.com). Pieces are easily recognized, as they have one color only (emerald green, white, blue or brown) and a crackled glaze. Most of the time the decoration is carved into the pieces but sometimes parts are painted too. Some time ago, I bought a few wonderfully hand made bowls in a shop of a Cultural Center (near Kanchanaburi). I like those very much. To be honest, I am not much of a fan of the Celadon that you can find in department stores and souvenir shops, as it is mass produced in factories. But of course, as always, there is an exception... and this exception comes in the form of a (very much mass produced ;-)) Hippo-Head-Candle-Holder. As the elephant is Thailand's national animal, all animal related items are almost always elephants. To find anything "hippo" is very, very unusual. I wonder for how much longer the department stores will carry them. I hope... indefinitely! 


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