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Chiang
Mai is, quite simply, Thailand's major centre for
quality handicrafts. The visitor need merely
visit the nearest city emporium or night market
to purchase an extraordinary variety of antiques,
silver jewellery, hilltribe opium pipes and
embroidery, Thai silks and cottons, basketry,
celadon, silverware, furniture, lacquerware,
woodcarvings and parasols.
A major advantage of shopping in Chiang Mai is
that the visitor may watch artisans working
within the city and in several outlying villages,
particularly along the Bor Sang San Kamphaeng
road where, in genuine cottage industries,
parasols, silk and cotton weaving, jewellery,
woodcarving, silverware, celadon and lacquerware
are manufactured, and number among popular
purchases.
Major Chiang Mai
products include:
Cottons & Silks
First-class Chiang Mai cottons and silks are of
incomparable quality. Cottons and silkshave
innumerable fashion and furnishing applications.
The largest possible selection is available in
San Kamphaneg.
 Umbrellas/Parasols
These are inextricably associated with Bor Sang
where villagers have been engaged in their
manufacture for at least 200 years. All
materials, silks, cottons, sa paper (manufactured
from the bark
of the mulberry tree), and bamboo are produced or
found locally. Visitors to Bor Sang will see
literally hundreds of designs and sizes ranging
from the miniature to the gigantic.
Silverware
The finest Thai silverware is exquisite, and is
made in Chiang Mai, where certain families have
prectised their art for several generations.
Traditional skills and a guaranted content of at
least 92.5% pure silver invest bowls, receptacles
and decorative items with authentic value. Silver
shops are concentrated on Wualu Road, where
silverware artisans and their families live.
Lacquerware
Striking black and gold designs give lacquerware
its visual appeal and sheen. This decorative art
enhances items made of wood, bamboo, metal, paper
and baked clay, in the form of receptacles,
ornaments and various souvenirs.
Furniture/Woodcarving
Chiang Mai is a major centre of furniture making.
Major woods and materials include teak, rosewood
and rattan. Items may be unadorned or, especially
with teak and rosewood, artfully carved in
traditional or modern designs. Woodcarving is a
traditional northern Thai art featured in
numerous temples. In recent years, wood carving
has increasingly embellished furniturre, gracing
screens, chairs, tables, beds, indeed anything
bearing a wooden surface large enough to be
carved. Carved elephants, figurines and tableware
number among other popular purchases.
Hilltribe Products
These include silver ornaments, such as
bracelets, necklaces, pendants, hairpins and
pipes of intricate design, and embroidered items
including tunics, jackets,bags, purses, caps and
dress lengths.
Gold Plated Orchids
& Butterflies
Orchids and butterflies are preserved and plated
with 24carat gold to create unusual gift items
such as necklace pendants, hairpins and earrings.
Pottery
Chiang Mai is the major centre of Thailand's
pottery industry. Prized items include high-fired
celadon which is produced in many forms,
including dinner sets, lamp bases and decorative
items. |
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