Shell and Horns

Shell that are used as material for handicraft making in Thailand are of two types : the univalve and the bivalve. The most popular are the shell from winged oysters, top shells, turban shells, sea mussels and abalone. Good materials for making lampshades and ornaments are the translucent sea shells called glass/windowpane shells and scallops. Freshwater bivalves are also favored because of their large and thick shells. Easily available are those shells from farms that raise shellfish like cockles, mussels, venus shells etc. for food.

Sea shells are mostly found in the Andaman Sea in southern provinces like Rayong, Krabi, Phang-nga, Phuket, Satoon, including Surat Thani, a province on the east coast. Fresh water shells are from the west, especially Kanchanaburi Province

If divided according to the kind of shells used, popular products made from shell in Thailand may be put into the following groups :

1. Product from oyster shells : Windowpane or glass oysters and scallops, the two popular oyster varieties used for handicrafts in this group, differ from each other in that the former are white and translucent while the later are murky white, or purple, and opaque. Brass is generally used to frame the shell pieces for enforcement as well as embellishment purpose, before putting them together into any desired products.

2. Product from freshwater bivalves : Shell from bivalves are not only large but thick, and if well polished theyshine like pearl and can often replace pearl shells in some pieces of work.

3. Product from other kinds of shells : Cockle, venus, mussel, button top shells and the like are among the raw materials used in this group.

However, since the government enacted the natural environment preservation law, the interest has waned. Besides, shells have also become more scarce. Work one sees now is only representative of the shell products made with a view for conservation of the skill in this area.

Horns and Animal Bones

Horns have been made used of since prehistoric times. They were made into drinking vessels, containers for ink and gunpower, sheaths for weapons, hunting instruments and many other types of equipment and tools.
In Thailand, a limited number of articles have been made from this material and they can be grouped as follows :
1. Souvenirs : Souvenirs made from horns are usually small and intricate carving in variety of bird from which have been so well polished that their natural horn color becomes attractively prominent.
2. Utensils and decorative items : Heat horns can be bent and shaped as desired, so they have been made into various decorative items.