Cambodia · Ceramics / Functional Craft
ខ្នងស្ករ (Khnang Skor)
The khnang skor (ខ្នងស្ករ — 'sugar back-basket') is the specialized clay vessel used for boiling and setting palm sugar — Cambodia's most important sugar tradition. Unlike the Kampong Chhnang water vessels (CRAFT-0515), the khnang skor is a thick-walled, high-heat resistant vessel that must withstand direct fire contact for 4–6 hours during the sugar boiling process. The critical technical distinction from other pottery traditions is the temper material: khnang skor potters add rice chaff and specific palm fiber to the clay at a specific ratio, creating a thermal shock-resistant body that can be placed directly in fire without preheating — most pottery would crack immediately under these conditions. The chaff-and-fiber temper formula is each pottery family's proprietary knowledge.
Risk level: Endangered · Not separately inscribed; part of palm sugar production heritage
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