The art of Thai carving in Holland
The art of fruit and vegetable carving was originated in 1364 in Sukhotai when Lady Nang Nopphamat decorated the floating lamp (krathong) with a profusion of flowers and birds, swans, rabbits and many other animals carved from fruits and vegetables. She made this krathong for the royal festival of loy krahtong celebrated on the night of the full moon of november of every year. A krathong is a tiny banana leaf boat shaped like a lotus flower and containing flowers, incense, lighted candles, and a coin. This floating lamp is floated on Thailand rivers for good luck.
When the King Phra Ruang saw what she had created, he appreciated this innovation and decreed it would be an art heritage of Thailand. Since that date, the art of vegetable and fruit carving has been performed by the ladies of the Royal Court.
When the King Phra Ruang saw what she had created, he appreciated this innovation and decreed it would be an art heritage of Thailand. Since that date, the art of vegetable and fruit carving has been performed by the ladies of the Royal Court.
During the first reign of the Bangkok period, His Majesty King Rama I the Great held a fruit and vegetable carving competition at the festival of the twelth lunar month. Squashes were elaborately carved to serve as bowls for presenting sweet young rice to monks, and the trays on which the bowls were placed were splendidly adorned with flowers of many sorts carved from papayas colored with natural dyes.
This art was the preserve of chefs to royalty and the nobility, but can now be found in the buffet displays of some of the best thai hotels. The master carvers have taught their art to the new generation.
In 1934, Phraya Sarasatpraphan , the Minister of Education, gathered teachers from all over the country for a one-year training course in various arts among which was fruit and vegetable carving, and from that time onward, the art has spread among people of all classes.
Onuma has learnt fruit carving in her homecountry. In the past 5 years she has worked for the best hotels and restaurants all over Thailand, carving fruits, soaps, and teaching her art. She is now established in The Hague, Netherlands, where she continues to practice her passion.
All the pictures on this website are showing fruits and soaps she has carved in Ireland.
She will carve fruits, vegetables and soaps for your receptions, weddings, parties...
All the pictures on this website are showing fruits and soaps she has carved in Ireland.
She will carve fruits, vegetables and soaps for your receptions, weddings, parties...
[Home] [Fruits Pictures] [Soaps Pictures] [Soap Bouquets] [Veg's Bouquets] [During Carving] [Contact: aor@onumacarving.com]
Last update 05/07/2009