Thai Benjarong Ceramic Elephant Hand Painted Unique Porcelain Pepper Salt Shaker

Description

Blue : Thai Benjarong Ceramic Elephant Hand Painted Porcelain Unique Pepper Salt Shaker from Thailand
Benjarong  ware is a kind of painted Thai ceramics porcelain. While the name literally means "five colours," it is a figurative description and actual decoration can have anywhere between three and eight colours. For the decoration, repetitive forms, usually geometric or flower-based, are used. A design is usually named after the decoration base name and a background color
Enamel colors are applied and overglazed, creating a swelling effect over the surface of the piece. The production process is incredibly labor-intensive, as each color is applied individually, and the piece is kiln fired after the application of each color. The firing process brightens the colors of the finished piece and adds to its beauty. Gold is also used in painting the porcelain.
The earliest trace of Benjarong ever recorded is back to the Ming dynasty in China (1368–1644 A.D.). In the reign of Xuande Emperor
Benjarong was invented at Zhejiang province but it only gained popularity during the reign of Chenghua Emperor. In China, Benjarong will have three or more colors but in Thailand, Benjarong usually has five or more colors.
About 600 years ago, a princess from China was married into the Siam dynasty (now Thailand) and she brought Benjarong with her. At that time, it is understood that Benjarong porcelain was made only for the Emperor of China's use. However, Benjarong was then supplied from China to the king of Siam for several generations
Siam started to produce porcelain after they discovered Kaolin which is one of the main materials of Benjarong.
After discovering the Kaolin, the King of Siam decided to bring some of the artists from China and established workshops in Siam Kingdom. The first Benjarong that was made in Thailand was in the reign of King Rama V. King Rama V also permitted Benjarong to be used by his aristocracy and by certain wealthy and influential merchants. Nowadays,  Benjarong is available to all who have the means to purchase it because of King Rama IX's permission.