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There is not secret that fake and counterfeiting
Thai amulets is currently a large scale "business" for the ill-minded individuals
who often work underground in various parts of the Thai Kingdom. Other than the hottest
selling popular images, pricey collectible pieces of renown are also another target
market for these irresponsible souls. Soomdej / Soomdet, being the top of the list
of the Thai Benchaphakhi/Benjapakee set often get the attention for the counterfeiters
because it commands a very high respect among the Thai folks but basically, Soomdej
are very popular in the amulet trade.
Despite major Thai temples periodically release newer batches of Soomdej amulets
mainly to serve the needs of public/devotees and/or on good course of raising fund
for public welfare/temple maintenance but seemingly older amulet pieces have more
attraction not only to the public, it serves a different objective to another group
of enthusiasts and/or collectors that had pushed up the prices of collectible Soomdej.
Basically, it is supply versus demand equation due to rarity of genuine Soomdej images.
Here in this site, Richard Wong, a long time Soomdej collector with the teaching
of his Master who had published series of THAI BUDDHIST AMULETS Books over the years
is willing to share his knowledge in his own ways by identifying originality of a
Soomdej/Soomdet. You may click on each Thumbnails below for an EXPLOSIVE VIEW which
written with brief and easy to understand method of personal authentication Although
there could be more ways than these, but it was solely devoting his own knowledge
for all to share. IF any of you are willing to share your thought over this channel,
please make good use of the MESSAGE BOARD. Enjoy.
<<<---- The large
piece on the main page is not a mold for making Somdej. Rather it is an Uncut
Piece of Somdej WRK Pim Yai. This is how it look like when removed from the mold
by Somdej Buddhacharn Toh. The 4 sides has to be cut off by bamboo knife before
it's dry & harden. (please
refer to the Mold
for Buddhist Amulet Section
for related issues). Just click on the thumbnail for explanation how it was produced
and what to do with the left over pieces.
NOTE:- So as to help
you to view the absolute details for verification, it is rather graphic intensive
where each thumbnail enlargement
that followed has a JPEG File size of between 600~900k, please bear with the slow download time where it relates.
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