Lanna Silver Craft Heritage

The Silver Temple of Wat Sri Suphan reflects the long-standing relationship between Buddhism, local craftsmanship, and community life in the Wua Lai area of Chiang Mai. Here, art is not only decoration, but a form of devotion expressed through generations of Lanna craftsmanship.

Origins of Wua Lai Silversmithing

The history of silverwork in Wua Lai dates back to the reign of King Kawila (1799-1804), who revived Chiang Mai after Burmese domination by inviting skilled Tai Shan silversmiths from the Salween River valley in present-day Myanmar. These artisans settled south of the royal city walls, naming their new home "Wua Lai" after their place of origin. Some accounts trace the craft even further back to the reign of King Mengrai, who brought goldsmiths and silversmiths from Myanmar, Laos, and China to Chiang Mai. By the first half of the 20th century, nearly every household in the neighborhood had its own workshop producing silverware.

Traditional Techniques:

Repoussé and Chasing — The primary technique used by Wua Lai artisans. Repoussé involves hammering designs from the reverse side of the metal, while chasing refines the design from the front, creating stunning three-dimensional surfaces.

The Production Process — Silver is melted in a crucible placed in a forge called "tao phao." Saltpeter and borax are added to make the silver soft and smooth. The molten silver is poured into a clay mold, then hammered from a disc into the desired shape. Repoussé patterns are created by hammering, then finished with hand tools.

Characteristic Patterns — Wua Lai silverware is distinguished by its raised textures that stand out from the background. Traditional Lanna patterns include the 12 zodiac signs, local flowers, and the "gon hoy" (snail-like motif) — deeply embossed curl patterns at each end of the design.

Sala Sip Mu Lanna

In 2007, the temple opened the Sala Sip Mu Lanna (Lanna Craft Wisdom Museum) to train young monks and anyone interested in keeping the ancient silverware tradition alive. The center teaches the traditional 10 arts of Lanna craftsmanship, serving as a bridge between the old masters and a new generation of artisans. The silverwork at Silver Temple is inseparable from its spiritual purpose. Common products have traditionally included ritual objects — silver bowls (salung), ceremonial trays, and temple decorations. The creation of the Silver Ubosot itself was the ultimate expression of this union: an entire sacred building created through the same patient craft used for fine silverware. Lanna embossed metalwork reflects cross-cultural influences from Lanna, Luang Prabang in Laos, Shan State in Myanmar, and Sibsongbanna in China. Despite the decline of highly skilled craftsmen, the temple works alongside organizations such as the Fine Arts Department and the Sirikit Institute to preserve this refined art for future generations.