Style of Kalasha Pots in Lanna Culture

Abstract

The study and collection of plants used for decorating Kalasha Pots in Lanna Culture is a qualitative research work that uses descriptive writing and photographs to show the collection of Kalasha Pots in art works. 

The findings from the study point out that in Lanna Culture, natural plants are used in the designs of the decorations of art works that serve religious purposes. Such decorative motifs are also on Kalasha Pots or locally called, “Mo Dok (Flowery Pots).” Forms of plants are used in art works such as paintings, sculptures and graphic works. In addition, they have reflect the development and implementation in different eras. In this collection, motifs of Kalasha Pots have been collected from 184 temples and 6 cultural heritage sources, for 483 motifs of Kalasha Pots in total. These motifs have been studied in terms of forms and meanings through the locations of decoration in 8 provinces in the Upper Northern Part of Thailand, namely, Chiang Mai Province, Lamphun Province, Lampang Province, Phrae Province, Nan Province, Chiang Rai Province, Phayao Province and Mae Hong Son Province.  

In addition, from the field works, the three techniques that are most found are Lai Kham Works (Gold Motifs), Plaster Works and Carved Wood Works, respectively. Apart from art craft techniques, from the field works, it has been identified that the 3 provinces that most motifs of Kalasha Pots have been found are Lampang Province, Chiang Mai Province and Phrae Province, respectively. Motifs of Kalasha Pots have been created to symbolize the worship to the teachings of Lord Buddha more than any other purpose, by decorating the hampers to keep inscriptions, pulpits and buildings to keep inscriptions. 

As for the plants used for decorating Kalasha Pots in Lanna Arts in 20^th - 21^st Buddhist Centuries are lotus flowers stemming from the pot. In 22^nd - 23^rd Buddhist Centuries, the motifs have been changed to Thai motifs that cannot be identified what plants they are. In 24^th Buddhist Century,  Kalasha Pots with lotus flowers have become popular once again with bunches of orchids flowers stemming out from the pots as well, but in 25^th Buddhist Century, the motifs of Kalasha Pots have again become mixed with Thai motifs, such as Puttan (Cotton Rose Hibiscus) Motifs and Na Kan (Lion-liked Monster’s Face) Motif, most of which are from influence of Ratanakosin Arts, as well as influences from Burmese, Chinese and Western Cultures.

From the study, motifs on Kalasha Pots are art works that have been created from the bond with the nature of people of Lanna Culture, and have been presented with craftsmanship skills and techniques that lead to the understanding of the link and the cause of the use of motif on Kalasha Pots. These things are useful and can be used for generating new body of knowledge concerning Kalasha Pots in Lanna Arts so that people interested in these motifs can further develop and apply the motifs from this collection to their use in the future.