Dan Kwian Pottery Village

Dan Kwian Village (Thai: ด่านเกวียน) in Amphoe Chok Chai (Thai: โชคชัย) in the Changwat Nakhon Ratchasima (Thai: นครราชสีมา) is known for its pottery and handicrafts.^[1] The village name Dan Kwian means toll station or check point (Dan, Thai: ด่าน) for oxcarts ( Kwian, Thai: เกวียน).

Location

Dan Kwian sits at a narrows of the Mun (Thai: แม่น้ำมูล) river and was convenient river crossing point.^[2] The village, located on the Nakhon Ratchasima to Choke Chai road is broken into two distinct parts. Dan Kwian Din Phao (ด่านเกวียนดินเผา), a congregation of larger factories and roadside sales area, is located about 2 kilometers north of the historic village Moo Baan Dan Kwian(หมู่บ้านด่านเกวียน).

History

The pottery village is said to have started around 1740 although this date has not been verified. This same account states that the pottery was started with Mon (Thai: มอญ) refuges similar to the potters of Koh Kred or Kred Island. This claim although popularly held may not be accurate.^[3]

Prior to approximately 1972 nearly all the products of Dan Kwian were functional pottery. Common thrown forms were water storage jars of around 50 litres, fermented fish paste jars, mortars, and basins. There is no evidence of tableware production at Dan Kwian.^[4] Most of the pottery is fired in above ground anagama style wood kilns, although at least one noborigama chamber kiln, many gas kilns, and at least one electric kiln have been used. Ware in Dan Kwian was traditionally fired in two distinct styles, Phao Dam, or fired black, and Phao Dang fired red. Phao Dam ware was fired to temperatures approximately between 1200 and 1250 degrees Celsius. The ware at this temperature became dark brown and vitreous. Phao Dam wares were prized for durability, and lack of porosity. Most notable of these produts are the once ubiquitous Dan Kwian water jars.

Starting in about 1972 more decorative ware started to be made in Dankwean. At first this decorative ware was simply water jars with decoration carved into the surface. Since then the decorative ware has expanded to include more decorative vessel forms, clay tile, carved ceramic murals, ceramic jewelry, and free standing sculpture. Other media are also now produced in Dan Kwian, most notably cement based carved sandstone replicas.^[5]

References

1. ^ Joe, Cummins (2001). Thailand. Lonley Planet Publications. pp. 580. ISBN 1 86450 251 7. 
2. ^ Katz, Louis (1991). Traditional Thai Pottery Guide and Dictionary. Louis Katz. 
3. ^ Chiminok, Nikom (2000). Dankwean. Publisher Unknown. 
4. ^ Chiminok, Nikom (2000). Dankwean. Publisher Unknown. 
5. ^ Chiminok, Nikom (2000). Dankwean. Publisher Unknown.