Silver Takao in the pattern of Sunflower
Group of arts and crafts Type of Handicraft
Silver Takao in the pattern of Sunflower is Krun Puan’s one of the 13 prototype patterns of Takao Ngern. It is in the shape of flower with stem attached to the pedestal. The 2-tier petals are in radial shape similar to sunflower petal. The pollen itself is in 4 alternate rows of Luad Fun pattern. followed by the inner pollen in tiny size of several Dok Prik patterns similar to sunflower’s pollen. The stem is in curved square whereas the pedestal in inverted cup shape adorned with Thai style pattern. At the edge of workpiece pedestal, it is decorated with Luad Fun patterns and the silver wires bended as Thai letters into words “Dok Tantawan” and “Ch. Puan”.
- “Sunflower” is a big yellow flower with outstanding pollen. It blooms in the morning against the sun. It represents cheerfulness, confidence, stability and loyalty. Wearing an ornament in the pattern of sunflower is believed to enhance positive energy, constant glory, prosperity as well as mental stability and patience.
Technique : Forging, rolling, coiling, bending, welding and engraving silver metal
Making process (in detail) : Making the ancient pattern of silverware follows these processes:
- Forge silver metal in the mold until it is melted. Pour into a socket plate or rail to get a silver bar. Set aside to cool down.
- Roll silver bar and reduce to extremely thin sheets, or to wires at the desired size
- Making and assembling the workpiece with air bellow and welding torch. Then coil, bend, and assemble the silver sheets or wires with silver soldering paste.
Making Silver Takao in the pattern of Sunflower follows these processes:
- Flower bud making :
- Silver sheets to support flower bud: Roll the silver plate and reduce to extremely thin sheets. Then trim the silver sheets into round shape with Tootu to support the flower bud and petals.
- Sunflower petals : Roll the silver bar into thin wires and bend into U shape as the petal frame. Attach all through the edge of round shape sliver sheets. Then beaten the silver droplets into thin droplets and attach on every petal frame. To make the petal, roll the silver plate into thin sheets and cut the edge of the silver sheets into sharp triangle shape, then attach as crisscrossed 2 tiers on each petal frame. And attach 1 line of silver wire around the edge of the inner part of each petal.
- Pollens : Create 4 lines of spiral Luad Fan pattern and assemble alternately. Decorate with chili blossom pattern and several Kai Pla patterns all through the middle area.# - Attaching stem and workpiece pedestal:
- Flower stem: Roll the silver plate into square shape wires and bend into a flower stem shape. Then assemble to the back of the flower bud.
- Workpiece pedestal: Forge the silver plate and put in the mold of inverted cup shape. Around the pedestal, adorn with Thai style embossing pattern made from the thin silver sheets, and with Luad Fun pattern made from 2 spiral sliver wires placing alternately.
- Assemble the flower stem to the pedestal.
- Beaten silver plate and engrave Thai letters into words “Tan Tawan” (Sunflower) and “Ch. Puan” both at the front and back part of the workpiece pedestal.
- Hot melt the workpiece to remove the rust with fire from welding torch, gasoline and air bellow. The silver metal typically turns naturally soft white when melted.
- Soak the workpiece in diluted acid to make it glittery.
- Wash and brush the workpiece until it beautifully shines.
- Wipe and blow dry the workpiece.
The silverware patterns are as follow :
- Kai Pla (spawn pattern) As a round shape of silver droplet, it is made by cutting silver wires into small pieces and forge them until they become the round silver droplet.
- Dok Prik (Chili flower pattern) As a worm shape of silver wire, it is made by melting the silver wire until softened and spin the wires into circles as a worm shape with a brass tube. Remove from the tube and re-spin into the “worm” shape. Cut it into circle and stitch its ends firmly. Each circle is called “Dok Prik”.
