LukJan is a fruit of Thailand. It is a tropical tree in the ebony and persimmon family that flowers are white. It bears fruit which is yellow in color and is known as “Gold Apples”. When ripe it is slightly sweet with an astringent taste, which can be used to make Thai desserts. The seeds can be used for medicinal purposes.
This miniature covered box is one of the most prolific forms in Bencharong and stands out for its fine, intricate decoration. The lid is in the shape of the lotus bud.
Formerly, this LukJan covered box contained skincare and face powders used on the dressing tables of female consorts or was used as a miniature accessory box. Nowadays, this intricate decorative painted covered box can be used as the invaluable keepsake urns for containing a small portion of the loved ones as Thai people contain the lord Buddha’s bone ashes and the ancestors’ ashes for worship, remembrance, and memories.
KaoLarmTad design is one of the basic patterns in traditional Thai drawing from “MaeKaJung” design which inspired and originated from the shapes of the lotus (water lilies) flower and the tree’s buds (eyes). The pattern which appears on Bencharongware is developed from KaJungTaOil design (TaOil means the nodes from sugar cane which is the joint stem of the sugar cane or bamboo), i.e. connects each together harmoniously and as delicately as a diamond or lozenge with the appearance of a candle flame. The lines are seemingly dragged into each other and the colors blend together giving it a “sparkle” which is implied by the bond of eternal relationship in the family.