The history of decorative Siam (Thai) Soap Flower Carving Crafts

Siam soap carving is an ancient handy craft that developed over many years in Thailand. An ordinary bar of soap is painstakingly hand carved into a delicate flower, which is then hand painted before being set in a decorative wooden box.

These soaps keep there smell of a long time, hence every time the box is opened, the sweet fragrance fills the room. These are just one of the amazing Thai crafts of the east I have come across, but is the first I have written about.

Thai Soap Carving originally started with fruit and vegetable carvings. The skill of carving fruit and vegetables into stunning shapes started around 700 years back, in Sukothai. Sukothai was the original capital Thailand, located in what is now considered to be the northern sector of central Thailand. It was the capital between 1240 and 1350. During preparations for a major Thai festivals called Loi Kratong, a servant of the King called Nang Noppamart was thinking about how she could improve on her Kratong and make it more beautiful, hoping to please his royal majesty. She chose one of her favorite flowers and used it as a base for her carving. She then proceeded to carve a bird, which was set in a position pointing its head towards the hand carved flower. The tradition of Loi Kratong can still be witnessed today and is and Sukothai is (not surprisingly) among the best places to experience it.

Since the revolution that occurred in 1932, the art of fruit and vegetable carving faded in popularity. Many previous skilled carvers became concerned that the art was disappearing completely and so set up a new course to train Thai people in the hope of preserving the art for everyone to enjoy. Nowadays it is taught to children of 11 years and older, starting in primary schools and continuing through secondary school. Some students even continue to choose it as a specialist optional subject for university. The skill has been preserved, but now with a relatively modern twist of Soap Carving, which allows the carving skills of talented craftsmen to last longer and be enjoyed for generations.

More and more people across the world are slowly discovering (often with disbelief) the amazing beauty of this Thai art form, all thanks to the original inspiration from Nang Noppamart and the courses created to preserve the skill. People are now using these for unique gifts, souvenirs and wedding favors across the globe ... and in turn, are also helping to make sure the craft lives on for generations to come.

** I explain and demonstrate how these wonderful flowers of soap are created in:

Stunning Siam (Thailand) Soap Flowers: These carvings carved from an Ordinary Bar of Soap are in a class of their own!

... I hope you will pop over there to read a little more. Thanks for stopping by!

© Copyright 2011. Brett.Tesol - Full terms available on Brett.Tesol's profile page (click the blue link for profile, failure to read the Copyright Contract could be expensive. The act of copying this work means that you accept the full terms of the contract, regardless of whether or not you have read it).