Antiques and Crafts in Chiang Mai
Intro |
The Old City |
Wua Lai |
San Kamphaeng Road-Bo Sang |
Hang Dong-Ban Thawai
Shops in the Old City
Terra Cotta Arts creations
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In terms of antiquities, Chiang Mai shops boast thousands of copies of bronze, wood, and stone sculpture, from quite good to very poor.
Chiang Mai is replete with copies, and the better shops (such as Boorisoothi) will tell you immediately if you’re looking at a reproduction.
As Northern Thai antiquities are becoming rarer, most shops have instead a good number of Burmese pieces, including exquisite lacquered Buddhas from Mandalay.
Prices in Chiang Mai are, in the better shops, roughly the same as in Bangkok.
Quality shops to explore
Ban Phor Liang Meun's Terra Cotta Arts, 36, Prapokklao Road, Soi 2, Chiang Mai 50200. tel: (053) 278-187. The factory is located just north of the junction of Prapokklao Road and Rambungburi Road, near the southern moat. Soi 2 is a few meters north of the junction, and the factory is 200 meters west, along Soi 2.
On the north side of the complex is a modern shop, where interior terra cotta items may be found, but we were more impressed with the outdoor sculpture garden to the south, where exterior terra cottas are displayed, in a jungle-like setting, scattered romantically hodge-podge, surrounding the workshop.
GPS Coordinates: N18°46.930' E098°59.230'
Bilan, 96-96/1 Rajchiangsen Road, Chiang Mai. Tel: (053) 275-028.
Located just south of the Chiang Mai gate, Bilan’s strength is terra cotta and wood bas reliefs, and old canvas paintings from the Ramayana epic.
GPS Coordinates: N18°46.840' E98°59.840'
Kesorn Arts, 154-156 Tapae Road, Chiang Mai. Tel: (053) 874-325.
Located near the Tha Phae gate east of the old city, Kesorn has a nice selection of old arts and crafts, and some unusual pieces as well, such as tableaux-vivants sculptures depicting tribal village life.
The two on hand were quite dusty, but were unique, just the type of thing to make us return.
GPS Coordinates: N18°47.297' E098°59.984'
Naga Naga, Charoenrat Road, Chiang Mai. Tel: (053) 248-988.
That's right, there is no street address here, because there’s no street address in Roman numbers on the building.
It’s located 25 meters south of La Luna Gallery, which is at 190 Charoenrat Road.
Naga has a nice collection of old tribal clothes, crafts, and textiles, as well as newer items of interest.
GPS Coordinates: N18°47.593' E099°00.034'
Pew Pattanasangcharee
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Pew Pattanasangcharee stall, facing Wat Chedi Luang, Chaban Road entrance. Tel: (04) 150-0424.
In a tiny stall west of the massive Phra Chedi Luang, you’ll find Pew Pattanasangcharee, carefully punching, cutting, and painting elaborate designs on buffalo hide.
They’re delicate, colorful, and fascinating.
GPS Coordinates: N18°47.230' E098°59.169'
Praturng Lacquerware, 101 Nantarum Road, Chiang Mai 50100. Tel: (053)272-186.
Located 600 meters south of Rat Chiang Saen Road, near the intersection of Wyualai Soi 5, this family operation consists of several small rooms in a Lanna-style workshop.
It is the last remaining small lacquerware factory in Chiang Mai, and you may buy examples of their work here.
GPS Coordinates: N18°46.500' E098°59.097'
Sipsong Panna, 95/19 Nimmanhemin Road, Chiang Mai. Tel: (053) 216-096.
Located near the junction of Nimmanhemin and Huai Kaew roads, this exceptional shop offers antique and contemporary silver jewelry, old Burmese silver bowls, and hill tribe arts and crafts.
GPS Coordinates: N18°47.990' E098°58.028'
Wat Phuak Taem, Samlan Soi 7.
Located just north of the Suan Prung gate off Samlan Road, this temple has an interesting workshop dedicated to building the finials used to top Buddhist stupas. The basic designs are cut from metal, primed, welded, and gilded.
Soi 7 is located a few meters north of the gate.
Turn right, and you’ll find the temple just past the first intersection.
GPS Coordinates: N18°46.937' E098°58.999'