Passing on the beauty of Sirabhorn

       The art of making traditional theatrical costume jewellery Sirabhorn has been passed down through the generations in Phetchaburi, the central province known for its richness in arts and culture.
       In the old days, Sirabhorn was worn by performers of classical dances such as khon ,lakhon .But nowadays, the jewellery has become a souvenir very popular with foreign visitors.
       Narongchai Makbamrungchit, a 50-year-old teacher at Ban Don Yang Witthaya School in Muang district, has helped to keep alive the Sirabhorn-making tradition.
       He has researched the history of Sirabhorn crafts of the past and how they were produced in their various shapes and forms.
       From this research, he has acquired the skills to make the jewellery through experimenting and practising. The knowledge he cultivated is passed on to his students and the community.
       Making Sirabhorn requires a combination of plaster moulding and long rak lacquering. The practice is getting harder to find in the province.
       Sirabhorn making is adapted from khon mask production which originated in the palaces.Impressed by the exquisiteness of the khon masks, the self-taught Phetchaburi craftsmen invented the crafts which eventually gave birth to the Sirabhorn jewellery.
       The materials they came up with for producing a piece of Sirabhorn jewellery were crushed granite, cooked rice and straw paper. After moulding the ingredients into the desired shape,the work was then lacquered and covered and decorated with gold foil.
       These days, craftsmen usually create permanent moulds for making a collection of Sirabhorn jewellery. The moulded plaster pieces are lacquered and decorated with gold foil and studded with coloured gems. The pieces are then assembled into jewellery.
       Along with traditional costume jewellery, the art of making Sirabhorn has also been diversified into other forms of souvenirs such as traditional food ware and business card containers.
       Most souvenirs are made from sugar palm trees and decorated with tiny pieces of the Sirabhorn jewellery.-Chaiwat Satyaem