On the south side of Chiang Mai's old city moat lies the community of Wua Lai, famed for its silversmiths & craftsmen.
The Wua Lai silverware community started in Chiang Mai 200 years ago, when King Kawila imported renowned silversmith villagers from the north-west of Thailand, in an effort to return Chiang Mai to its former glory.
In 1501 Wat Sri Suphan was first built under King Mengrai. Since then the temple has been in destroyed & rebuilt several times.
In 1994 the abbot & Wua Lai villagers, restored the main hall and painted murals in the hall.
Then in 2004 they started a new project to rebuild Wat Sri Suphan, using their silversmith skills . The "silver" Ubosot - Ordination Hall is the result.
In the temple grounds there are many magnificent pieces. The bulk of the work is a zinc alloy, with precious silver used for the holy images.
In 2007, they built an Ancient Lanna Arts Study Center to facilitate the learning of silver crafts & arts, plus develop a new generation of craftsmen.
Now an important centre for learning traditional silversmith handicrafts Wat Sri Suphan has a silverware shop & workshop on the left of the temple where you can see people working with new designs.
Check it out sometime. Well worth a visit.
Wat Sri Suphan website
http://watsrisuphan.net/
The Wua Lai silverware community started in Chiang Mai 200 years ago, when King Kawila imported renowned silversmith villagers from the north-west of Thailand, in an effort to return Chiang Mai to its former glory.
In 1501 Wat Sri Suphan was first built under King Mengrai. Since then the temple has been in destroyed & rebuilt several times.
In 1994 the abbot & Wua Lai villagers, restored the main hall and painted murals in the hall.
Then in 2004 they started a new project to rebuild Wat Sri Suphan, using their silversmith skills . The "silver" Ubosot - Ordination Hall is the result.
In the temple grounds there are many magnificent pieces. The bulk of the work is a zinc alloy, with precious silver used for the holy images.
In 2007, they built an Ancient Lanna Arts Study Center to facilitate the learning of silver crafts & arts, plus develop a new generation of craftsmen.
Now an important centre for learning traditional silversmith handicrafts Wat Sri Suphan has a silverware shop & workshop on the left of the temple where you can see people working with new designs.
Check it out sometime. Well worth a visit.
Wat Sri Suphan website
http://watsrisuphan.net/