Thai Arts Masters: Mother of Pearl Inlay

Thai PBS and Thailand Foundation proudly present “Thai Arts Masters”, where we explore the stories of master craftsmen from all across Thailand. 

In this episode, we explore the art of mother of pearl inlay. Mother of pearl is a material derived from certain types of seashells. The shells are cut into small pieces and applied with black lacquer to create intricate patterns. This delicate process requires great skill as well as a deep appreciation for natural materials.

We visited Master Jukkit Suksawat, who strives to preserve ancient inlay patterns while also experimenting on new styles. His works has led to the creation of the “Bua Bang Lane” pattern, which embodies the spirit of his community.