Craftsmen may spend 7 years on temple doors
Two weatherworn doors at a historic pavilion of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha will be replaced as soon as a special slab of gold teak is ready, Fine Arts Department director-general Arak Singhitkul said yesterday.
But that could be some time. The 500-year-old, nine by 4.5 metre slab was found recently in Lampang. It is being processed into replacement doors. Department artists and craftsmen at its campus in Nakhon Pathom province are copying the pearl inlay and lacquer of the existing doors. It could take as long as seven years, according to Culture Minister Khunying Khaisri Sri-aroon. The teak is already well dried - vital to ensure the doors do not shrink when exposed to light and weather. She said the teak was ideal for the replacement doors to the Monthien Tham Pavilion at the temple. They are among four doors facing west - exposed to light for more than 220 years. Pearl inlay used to decorate the doors casts a rainbow when hit by light, Arak said. The old doors will be displayed at the National Museum after being replaced.
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