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Wood Carving

Buddha Image, animal and furniture

Wooden Buddha Image (The Growth of Faith)

Sukhothai Buddha images were regarded due to their excellent beauty and stood out as a unique representation of the craftsmanship of the successors of Phra Ruang reflecting the beauty of the cities at that time. Among the ancient Buddha images of Sukhothai art remaining to present, most of them were made of metal, stucco, and precious minerals such as gold and crystal. However, it was believed that due to the long period, Buddha images made of some materials were completely decomposed, such as wood.

Nonetheless, the Sukhothai artists were never interrupted. If you have some time to visit the city of Phra Ruang at this time, you will find that in the Sukhothai Historical Park, Muang-Kao Sub-district, Sukhothai District, Sukhothai Province, there are Buddha images made of teakwood with preserving the uniqueness of Sukhothai art.

There are many sizes and forms of Buddha images made from wood in the city of Phra Ruang. Woodcarvers in the community of Ta Phang Thong continue the process of carving wooden Buddha images. If you see beautiful Buddha images in some souvenir shops, you can ask about woodcarvers. You may have a chance to see the elaborate carving.

Wooden Furniture

Jarodviteethong Road builds from the new city of Sukhothai to the old city of Sukhothai or Sukhothai Historical Park passes through Ban Khwang Sub-District where visitors can easily notice that the two sides are filled with stylish wooden furniture shops providing furniture with beautiful pattern, especially unique antique furniture.

Originally, the craftsmen of Ban Khwang who made the carved wood had time to create these works after farming or during the off-season. The wood used to make furniture was teakwood fragments bought from Phrae. With their wisdom and skills, they could create precious furnishings such as octagonal cabinets, mirrors, and four-poster beds creating a tasteful ancient atmosphere. The reputation of the furniture gradually grew until a lot of income was brought to the villagers of Ban Khwang, resulted in the group and product development as a cooperative of Ban Khwang. In addition to the products available or made-to-order, visitors can also visit the carving process of professional craftsmen and appreciate a nice view of Ramphan Canal.

Wooden Birds and Fish

In the past, the lower areas of the north were very rich in forest resources. There were also principle routes to transport timbers from the north to the central region. Thus, people in this area have the wisdom to create fine art in the past.

Mueang-Kao Sub-district, Sukhothai District, Sukhothai Province, the community area in Sukhothai Historical Park even now preserves and inherits the wisdom of wood carving by changing the creative process into a mutually dependent method for the community's sustainable income.

Major souvenirs in this area are carved wooden items of various types and full of creativity and beauty. People in the community share the work procedures from barking wood for suitable sizes, framing, carving, to the coloring process of wooden items of animals and humans, collectively called "wooden objects," as well as utensils such as wine bottles holders. This reflects the love and unity of successors of Phra Ruang along with the craftsmanship at the same time.