Luang Phor Kaew (Wat Khrua Wan) Amulet Study Guide: Molds, Materials and Macro Photos
คู่มือศึกษาพระหลวงพ่อแก้ว วัดเครือวัลย์ พิมพ์ เนื้อ และภาพขยายองค์จริง · in Thai
This page brings together all 6 Luang Phor Kaew amulets that Amulet Ping owns and has photographed itself, grouped by mold (phim) and batch so you can compare them on one page. 6 of them include 100–1,000× high-magnification photos of the material and surface. Biography and beliefs are given as traditionally told; nothing here certifies the authenticity or age of any piece.
Short biography of Luang Phor Kaew
Luang Phor Kaew of Wat Khrua Wan — Lived 1794–1888 (BE 2337–2431) · Wat Khrua Wan, Chonburi
Luang Phor Kaew of Wat Khrua Wan in Chonburi was a 19th-century guru monk famous for his Phra Pidta, regarded as the finest closed-eyes amulets of the eastern region.
หลวงพ่อแก้ว วัดเครือวัลย์ · in Thai
Which molds of Luang Phor Kaew has Amulet Ping recorded?
6 pieces in 3 mold/batch groups, dated BE 2400; the most common material is Powder with lacquer and gold leaf.
| Mold / batch | Pieces | Year (BE) | Material |
|---|---|---|---|
| flat back | 3 | 2400 | Powder with lacquer and gold leaf |
| freestanding statuette | 2 | 2400 | Herbal (Wan) |
| plain back | 1 | 2400 | Powder with lacquer and gold leaf |
By mold and batch, with real photos
Each group lists every piece of the same mold or batch, so you can see what they share and how each one differs. Click a name to see every side and the macro photos.
flat back (3 pcs)
- Luang Phor Kaew amulet, flat back, Powder with lacquer and gold leaf, Wat Khrua Wan, Chonburi, BE 2400 — BE 2400 · Powder with lacquer and gold leaf · 12 macro photos
- Phra Pidta by Luang Phor Kaew, flat back, Powder with lacquer and gold leaf, Wat Khrua Wan, Chonburi, BE 2400 — BE 2400 · Powder with lacquer and gold leaf · 12 macro photos
- Phra Pidta by Luang Phor Kaew, flat back, Powder with lacquer and gold leaf, Wat Khrua Wan, Chonburi, BE 2400 — BE 2400 · Powder with lacquer and gold leaf · 12 macro photos
freestanding statuette (2 pcs)
- Luang Phor Kaew amulet, freestanding statuette, Herbal (Wan), Wat Khrua Wan, Chonburi, BE 2400 — BE 2400 · Herbal (Wan) · 6 macro photos
- Phra Pidta by Luang Phor Kaew, freestanding statuette, Herbal (Wan), Wat Khrua Wan, Chonburi, BE 2400 — BE 2400 · Herbal (Wan) · 18 macro photos
plain back (1 pcs)
- Phra Pidta by Luang Phor Kaew, plain back, Powder with lacquer and gold leaf, Wat Khrua Wan, Chonburi, BE 2400 — BE 2400 · Powder with lacquer and gold leaf · 12 macro photos
Material by era, ingredients and traces of manufacture
The best-known Phra Pidta (closed-eyes) amulets of Luang Phor Kaew, Wat Khruea Wan, are sacred powder mixed with lacquer (phong khluk rak), combining sacred powders, herbs and other ingredients, made over a hundred years ago in several molds such as Lang Baep, Lang Riap and hand-moulded figures.
Tradition says a lead version was also made because the lacquered powder wore down quickly when fishermen wore it in the water. Genuine lead pieces are very rare and imitations have long existed. For the lacquered powder, look at the lacquer layer over the surface and the ingredients exposed at worn spots.
These are old Pidta amulets of eastern Thailand, and later pieces in similar molds exist, so examine them with care.
Macro photos compared across pieces
Surface macro photos from several Luang Phor Kaew pieces, side by side to study material, surface and deposits. These recorded photos look the same to everyone and can be re-checked. Read more about the method in Scientific amulet study: how 100–1,000× macro photos differ from a 10× loupe (click a photo to enlarge).
Beliefs
His Pidta amulets are associated with protection and good fortune. These are traditional beliefs passed down among devotees, not guarantees of any result. Please use your own judgement.
How many Luang Phor Kaew amulets does Amulet Ping have?
6 pieces in 3 mold/batch groups; the largest group is flat back with 3 pieces. Every piece is photographed on all sides by Amulet Ping.
How should I study a Luang Phor Kaew amulet?
Look at real photos from several angles, compare the mold with other pieces in the same group, check how natural the material and deposits look in the macro photos, and consult an experienced expert you trust. Amulet Ping does not certify the authenticity or age of any piece; this page is for study only.
Summary
This page is a starting point for studying Luang Phor Kaew amulets from real pieces, covering every piece Amulet Ping has recorded, and it updates automatically when new pieces are added. See all of them on the Luang Phor Kaew page. Please use your own judgement.
Quote the item code so we can answer quickly.
Please use your own judgement when studying amulets.