Ratchaburi Dragon Jars: Pottery with Geographical Indications

Abstract

Ratchaburi dragon jars are referred to as pottery jar products made of a specific type of clay, locally called “Mun Phu”. The clay's compound has a reddish brown color containing some white spots and can be found particularly in Muang district and Photharam district in Ratchaburi. The products can be made either with or without ash glaze and regularly painted on with dragon trademark figures, sometimes with some other patterns, or no patterns. Those figures or patterns can be designed with relief or flat sculpture form. The knowledge of the production process was inherited from ancient Chinese origin, and integrated with local wisdom in Ratchaburi. The geographical indications of Ratchaburi dragon jars consist of the following characteristics: 1) raw materials. i.e., 1.1) being made of “Mun Phu” clay, and 1.2) glazing with ash by an ancient process, which includes the combination of multiple raw materials: ash, mud, and iron oxide to make it turn red, and 2) the production process including 2.1) preparing the clay, 2.2) molding the clay by curling it up using a potter’s wheel, 2.3) painting on the jars with figures or patterns by using the clay mixed with white clay that is well wedged until it turns to a soft uniform consistency, called “Din Tid Dok clay”. The most common figure from ancient Chinese is usually a dragon which eventually becomes a trademark of Ratchaburi dragon jars, 2.4) glazing and 2.5) firing the jars in the huge kiln, also called Dragon Kiln.