Learning
Historically the transmission of knowledge on how to make Nielloware was based on the apprenticeship model. In the early 20th century, after the establishment of the Pho Chang School in Bangkok and the Metal Artisans School in NST, people interested in learning this art could choose between the apprenticeship and the school modes of training. After that time, some artists, such as Mr. Chum, the best living Nielloware artist in Thailand, started their own Niello practice after graduating from one of those institutions whereas others learned serving as apprentices. Although originally the apprentices may have been mostly family members continuing a tradition, later on the main requirement for an apprentice was to be interested and motivated to learn Nielloware. In those cases, the apprentices would live in the house of the Niello master, and as they developed their skills they would get paid for their work (Subsin, Watee, personal communication, July 21, 2000).
In 1993, the Rajabhat Institute in NST started a project to preserve the art of Niello, the "NST Niello" project. This project counted with the support of the Board of National Culture and also with the support of the famous Niello artist Mr. Haeng Sophapon. As part of the project students in their teens received instruction in all the different aspects of Nielloware production, such as, melting and flattening silver, pattern design, carving, making Niello liquid, filing, sanding and polishing. Some of the major difficulties faced by this program were that some artists did not want to disclose their secret formulas and procedures, and in other cases the artists were not effective in transmitting their knowledge. In addition, many of the students seemed to be more interested in earning money than in learning the complex and laborious process to make Nielloware.
Currently, the NST Arts and Crafts College has the only formal curriculum on Nielloware. In addition there is the SUPPORT Foundation Nielloware workshop in Bangkok where a limited number of students can learn how to make Niello.
