Thai Benjarong Ceramic

4 1/2"H x 3 3/4"Diameter

Beautiful hand painted Benjarong vessel with lid. Matte gold outlines the greens, blue, yellow, and reds. An elegant piece with texture.

Enamel colors are applied over glaze, 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 the final color.

Benjarong origins go back to the Ming dynasty of China. During the reign of Xuande Emperor (1425-1435 A.D.) Benjarong was invented in the Zhejiang province. But, it only started to be popular during the reign of Chenghua Emperor (1464-1487 A.D.). Around 600 years ago, a princess from China married into the Siam dynasty and she brought Benjarong back with her to Siam ,nowadays Thailand. At that time Benjarong porcelain was created only for the Emperor of China’s use. But, from that time Benjarong was then supplied from China to the kings of Siam for several generations.

Siam began to make porcelain after they discovered Kaolin clay which is one of the main materials of Benjarong. Benjarong was first made in Thailand during the reign of King Rama V. He also allowed it to be used by his aristocracy and influential merchants. Today, Benjarong is available to all who want to buy due to King Rama IX’s permission.

While the name, Benjarong, literally means "five colors," it is a figurative description and actual decoration can have anywhere between three and eight colors. For the decoration, repetitive forms, usually geometric or flower-based are used.

Thai