Development of Isan Jewelry

Yauwalak Chuathong

Abstract

The Article were to study the development of the jewelry in Isan communities and to explore the factors involved. This study is a qualitative
study using the survey, observation, interview, and focus-group discussion as the data-collecting instrument. The communities included in this study
were 4 areas in Northeastern Thailand: 1) Baan KhwaoSinarin, KhwaoSinarin District in Surin province, 2) Baan NongKhu, UtumpornPisai District, in Sisaket province, 3) Baan Pa-Ao, Muang District, in UbonRatchatani province, and 4) Baan NongHee, PlaPak District, in NakhonPhanom province. Development of Isan Jewelry was initiated since prehistoric times, and has been passed down to the present. The Jewelry production in the Isan community, a successive inheritance from generation to generation, and there are long-standing craftsmen. Until the identity of Isan Jewelry to this day. Concerning the jewelry patterns, it is found that the jewelry has a nature-imitating designs reflecting surroundings and cultures through its shapes. In terms of aesthetics, the traditional jewelry previously possessed a sense of unity and balance, and the designs later transformed to the more contemporary version. In the past, the key materials of the jewelry were gold, silver, and semi-precious stone before shifting to the currently used materials including silver, brass, gems, synthetic gemstone, and Naga gemstone. Unlike the previous aspects, the traditional production procedures including molding, rolling, bending, welding, Etching, Black lacquer, polish and lost wax casting have remained unchanged. The jewelry which was previously considered as sacred objects is now seen as lucky charms instead and Gems consistent with belief. Likewise, the purposes of the jewelry use switched from the representation of socioeconomic status and elements of
ceremonies to decoration and adornment.