Mango Wood Crafts – An Ecological Choice

Illegal logging, especially of tropical timber, has rightly received negative press in recent years. However, there are examples of the ecologically sustainable use of wood in home decoration.

A notable example is the use of wood from the mango tree, especially for handmade gifts and collectibles from the Kingdom of Thailand. Although Thailand is no longer the center for handicrafts it once was, decorative items made from mango wood are still in high demand.

Historical reference to the fruits of mango trees dates back to around 4000 BC. C.: Mangoes are referred to in the Hindu Vedas as the “food of the gods.” Appreciation of the sweet richness of the mango fruit is rife throughout the world and extends to colloquial use of the language: in Central America, for example, a handsome man is referred to as “mango.”

The fame of the wood is more recent than that of the fruit of the mango trees. Mango trees grow fast and are permanently replanted for the fruit business, making their use for crafts an obvious, eco-friendly choice. Mango wood gifts are natural decorative items that come in a variety of shades and grains and an ambient dream at the same time.

In Thailand, mango wood crafts such as vases, bowls and tableware are made piece by piece by hand. Glass containers allow mango vases to hold water and have become a favorite collectible in Asian art decor.

Mango wood vases are carved from a solid piece of wood and then fired for 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 north central Chiang Mai.