Illegal logging especially of tropical woods rightly has received negative press in recent years. However, there are examples for the ecologically sustainable use of timber in home decoration.
One remarkable example is the use of wood of the mango tree, especially for handcrafted gifts and collectibles from the Kingdom of Thailand. While Thailand is not the center for handicrafts it once was anymore, handcrafted decorative items made from mango wood remain in high demand.
Historical reference to the fruits of mango trees dates back to about 4000 B.C.: In the Hindu Vedas reference is made to mangos as the “food of the gods.” Appreciation of the sweet richness of the mango fruit is plentiful the world over and reaches into the colloquial use of language: in Central America, for example, a handsome male is referred to as a “mango.”
The fame of the wood is more recent that of the fruit of mango trees. Mango trees grow fast and are replanted permanently for the fruit business, thus making its use for handicrafts an evident and ecological choice. Gifts made from mango wood are natural decorative items that come in a variety of shades and grains and an environmental dream at the same time.
In Thailand, mango wood crafts such as vases, bowls, and tableware are handcrafted piece by piece. Glass containers enable mango vases to hold water and have become a favorite collectible in Asian art décor.
Mango wood vases are carved from a solid piece of wood and then fired in a kiln to achieve an attractive finish for these unique gifts from Thailand. Favorite places to shop for mango wood collectibles include the Chatuchak weekend market in the capital Bangkok and the many markets in the northern center of Chiang Mai.
