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Properties and characteristics of gold
"...have money, he counts as younger There is gold, he counts as elder…" Many of you may have heard this folk song passed down through the ages. In ancient times, possessing gold or abundant wealth commanded great respect from people. Gold was considered an immensely valuable asset, commonly used as currency, a reward for the worthy, and even for various decorations.
Properties and characteristics of gold were defined in ancient times based on its texture and content, as decreed by King Rama IV. For instance, six-grain gold, equivalent to 1 baht, was valued at 6 baht, and nine-grain gold, also 1 baht, at 9 baht. Gold came in various types and appearances, processed through smelting and mixed with diverse minerals for suitable applications, as described below.
Thong Noppakhun, real gold, pure and unadulterated.
Thong dok buap is gold with a light yellow hue resembling zucchini flowers, thus its name.
Thonglang, thin strips of gold utilized for embroidery or weaving clothes during important ceremonies.
Thong Pae, a term for an ancient gold coin. Although not extensively used as currency in the Ayutthaya period, it found popularity mainly in the creation of jewelry.
Gold leaves or large gold leaves, thin sheets of gold that can be folded and rolled into a long round tube.
Thong K, a modern item used to measure purity in karats, also referred to as K gold or 24 karat gold.
Gold leaf, extremely thin and commonly used for covering lacquered objects.
Gold ornaments or Thong Yong, pre-made or decorated gold items.
Thongsai, appearing like small grains mixed with sand or earth, occasionally found as small plates blended with sand.
These gold varieties and forms showcase the richness and versatility of gold craftsmanship throughout history, as documented in the Ayutthaya goldware book.
