งานวิจัยและบทความ

Although mother-of-pearl has been used in Thailand as a decorative medium since the 3rd–6th centuries, little is known about its history or use over the years. Despite the gaps in our knowledge, it is possible to distinguish “late” from “earlier” objects. Among the most excellent late items are doors in this temple that can be dated to the reign of Rama 111 (1824-1851). The doors depict scenes from the old Thai classical story, the Rāmakīen. Besides reviewing the subjects portrayed, an explanation of the manufacturing process including the tools, raw materials, and artistic technology needed is provided. Comparative information on mother-of-pearl manufacturing in neighboring countries such as Vietnam and China and a discussion of the available literature on the topic is also given.