Bencharong Ware

Bencharong ware was produced exclusively for the Thai market during the Ayutthaya period and throughout the nineteenth century. Many people believed that Thais ordered white-glazed ware from China, which was then decorated by Thai artisans, and then sent back to China for final production under the supervision of Thai artisans.Therefore, Thai Bencharong ware had typical Thai designs and motifs.

The word Bencharong, meaning "five colors", was the name of a ceramic group enameled with three to eight colors. The five most popular colors used on early ware were red, yellow, black, white and green, while other colors employed to decorate Bencharong ware of the later period were pink, green,purple, blue and reddish yellow.

Lai Nam Thong Ware

Lai NamThong ware was introduced after the fall of Ayutthaya and became most popular during the reign of King Rama II of the Chakri Dynasty. Use of gold was the principle difference between Lai Nam Thong and Bencharong. On Lai Nam Thong, the gold was used in conjunction with enamels as a background, or added as decorative touches, outlines, or accents.

King Rama I (1792 - 1809)

During his reign, King Rama I ordered ceramics to be produced and imported from China. These ceramics were to be made by meticulously copying the style of the Ayutthaya period (with respect to shape, decoration, color and so on) Such ware included covered jars, tiered jars, and covered bowls.

King Rama II (1809 - 1824)

The Lai Nam Thong ware of the Rama II period was considered to be the loveliest of the Sino-Thai production. Most of Lai Nam Thaong ware were thought to be from this reign. The shapes of Lai Nam Thong were similar to those of Bencharong. The most common shape was the covered bowl. The most often seen pattern was a birds-and-flowers design. Trellis-and-rice-ball designs with gold backgrounds or gold outlined were also seen.

King Rama III (1824 - 1851)

In the reign of King Rama III, Bencharong ware was decorated with designs of flowers, plants and group of birds on a white background.

King Rama IV (1851-1868)

In this period Bencharong ware was not popular and their decline in popularity was indicated by the fact that blue and white Chinese, Japanese and European Pottery was widespread in Thailand. Bencharong & Lai Nam Thong patterns were painted and fired in Thailand over blue & white Chinese imports.