Reviving Phetchaburi’s intricate goldsmith legacy through contemporary jewelry design.

Abstract

Since the Ayutthaya Kingdom, Phetchaburi province has been known as the home of skilled artisans. The craftsmanship of various artistic fields has been inherited through generations. According to their established aesthetic works, the creation of ‘Group of Phetchaburi Craftsmen’ is considered the cultural heritage. Therefore, Phetchaburi has been respected and praised as a living Ayutthaya. One branch in the group of Phetchaburi craftsmen is goldsmith. It is generated through natural aesthetics and functional utilization, creating delicate, elegant, and flawless jewelry. This knowhow of cultural wisdom is decreasingly continued because each sophisticated artisan is aged and passing on their knowledge within family members. The increasing price of gold caused many goldsmiths to turn to other professions to earn a better living. Therefore, the aim of this article is to be apart of the cultural preservation and develop this local wisdom into contemporary jewelry. The study process was started by literature reviews, analyzing the possible sophisticated patterns and simplifying them. After that, the customer analysis was determined to conclude alternative designs, materials, and proportions of jewelry. The two-dimensional sketches have been developed and produced as affordable adornments. These new jewelry pieces can reach more markets while they are still composed of the elements of the ‘Group of Phetchaburi Craftsmen.’