Lanna Crafts II

Lanna History (cont.):

Some charming Lanna Crafts were recommended in previous post, but the long story of Lanna history was not over yet. Please follow us back to the past of Lanna.

The prosperity era of Lanna Kingdom was in 1898-2068 B.E., around 170 years. The prosperity had been obviously developed since King Kue Na (the sixth king of Meng Rai Dynasty) till King Kaew (the eleventh king of Meng Rai Dynasty), six reigning kings totally. The highest prosperity or the Golden Age was in the reign of King Tilokarat (1984-2030 B.E., 46 years). The Lanna Kingdom Golden Age remarkable features were:

King Tilokarat

- The widest expansion of territory comparing to any era; North: to Shan state in Burma and Sipsongpanna of China, South: to the border cities of Ayutthaya (Kamphaeng Phet, Phitsanulok, Sukhothai, etc.), East: captured Phrae and Nan cities, and spread to Lan Xang Kingdom of Luangprabang.

- Flourished Religions

- Good Economy

In the last two years of King Kaew (2066-2068 B.E.), there were some events leaded to Lanna Kingdom weakness and deterioration as follows:

- Year 2066 B.E., King Kaew sent 20,000 soldiers to war at Chiang Dtung (or Kengtong), but be defeated.

- In 2068 B.E., there was a large flood at Chiang Mai capital which caused a lot of dead people, and also King Kaew passed away.

Today recommended Crafts/Handmade Products:

- 'Bracelet, 'Lanna Shield' ‘ from NOVICA*, an extraordinary crafted bracelet. 0.925 rating silver, fashions a filigree of jasmine blossoms on a silver cuff, inspiration from the gardens of the craft maker’s village.

Bracelet, 'Lanna Shield

- 'Batik art, 'Lanna Melodies' ‘ from NOVICA*, dressed according to the fashion dictates of ancient Lanna, a woman gently picks at the strings of a white sueng. Her sweet melodies are graphically depicted in a portrait. Crafted with batik techniques on cotton, it is framed in rain tree wood.

Batik art, 'Lanna Melodies

*NOVICA: who works in association with National Geographic, searches the world to work directly with the finest artisan designers.

(To be continued)