Chinese, China, Intended for the Thai market

This teapot and covered bowl are examples that demonstrate the process between Chinese porcelain production at Jingdezhen and foreign markets. The basic forms in white porcelain were ordered from Jingdezhen by Thai patrons, then decorated by Thai artisans, and sent back to China for the final firing. Lai nam thong ('gold wash') ceramics were a variant of Bencharong wares, which were vessels decorated by enamels in three to eight colors but without the gold embellishments. The use of gold required an extra firing process - once the basic form was decorated, it was fired in a kiln with an inner chamber to protect the enamels at low temperatures of about 800 degrees centigrade to prevent the enamels from burning. Once the gold was applied to the enameled vessel, it went through another firing of even lower temperatures.