Thai ceramics
Encyclopedia
Thai ceramics refers to pottery
designed or produced in the kingdoms and territories that today belong to the Kingdom of Thailand
, formerly Siam. Thai pottery and ceramics has a long history spanning back to thousands of years ago, including influences from China and other regions.
Much of Thai pottery and ceramics in the later centuries was influenced by Chinese ceramics, but has always remained distinct.
Thai pottery and ceramics were an essential part of the trade between Thai and its neighbors during feudalistic times, throughout many dynasties.
ware, the most famous style of Thai ceramics, is exported to many countries around the world today.
The earliest trace of Thai ceramics ever recorded is the Ban Chiang, said to date back to about 3600 B.C.E. and found in what is the present day Udon Thani Province
, Thailand
. The ceramics were earthenware made of clay. Common forms of excavated artifacts were cylinders and round vases. The early pots were undecorated while the later ones were carved with geometric patterns and swirling designs. Each of the pieces was also found to have axial perforations which showed that people at that time had knowledge of using tools.
The second important prehistoric Thai ceramics is the Ban Kao which was in Kanchanburi Province. Unlike Ban Chiang, Ban Kao’s wares were thinner and had a glossy surface finish. What is interesting is that there are a wide range of forms and shapes, some of which are similar to bronze wares of Han China.
After the prehistoric period the kingdom that emerged at about 1st century C.E. was the Mons
. They made considerable ceramics uses in relation to religious symbols in the form of figurines. Ceramics were also used as a building decorations.
Following the Mons were the Khmers who appeared in about the 9th century C.E. Little is known about Khmer ceramics because archaeological research has focused on their great achievements in stone and bronze sculpture. The ceramics of Khmer era are quite interesting. Many of the designs include parts from animal and have a dark brown glaze finish.
The best known of all traditional Thai ceramics are those from Sukhothai
and Sawankhalok. Sukhothai wares were generally treated with a creamy white slip and decorated in black with an opaque or greenish glaze. The most famous Sukhothai kiln is the Si Satchanalai. Examples of the wares can be found in many leading museums of the world. Sawanakhalok products tend to be more finely made than the Sukhothai ones. These products are incised and often include animal shapes. Some of the original examples can be found in many private collections and museums today. Ceramics based on these styles are still made at present and widely exported, particularly to the Philippines and Indonesia.
period from the kilns of S(r)i Satchanalai, which is around Sawankalok in north-central Thailand. This period started in the 13th century CE and continued until the 16th century. The art reached its apex in the 14th century. Examples of Si Satchanalai can be found in many leading museums of the world.
Sukothai traded with these precious ceramics with its neighbours. The transport was often by ship across the oceans. A number of Si Satchanalai ceramics in excellent condition have been excavated in ship wrecks in the Gulf of Thailand
, the Andaman Sea
and other waters.
, the capital of Thailand, was founded in 1782 and is represented by the Bencharong and Lai Nam Thong wares. It would seem that Bencharong ceramics first made their appearance during the final phases of the Ayutthaya period in the 18th century, while the Lai Nam Thong wares developed during the 19th century. Bencharong, meaning five colors in Thai, is a hand painted enamel over glazed ceramic. Bencharong was originally made in China and exclusively designed by Thai artists for Thai royals during the 18th – 19th centuries. Lai Nam Thong is an exclusive version of the Bencharong using gold embellishment instead of gold enamel. Both of these wares can be found in private collections of well-to-do citizens.
Pottery
Pottery is the material from which the potteryware is made, of which major types include earthenware, stoneware and porcelain. The place where such wares are made is also called a pottery . Pottery also refers to the art or craft of the potter or the manufacture of pottery...
designed or produced in the kingdoms and territories that today belong to the Kingdom of Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
, formerly Siam. Thai pottery and ceramics has a long history spanning back to thousands of years ago, including influences from China and other regions.
Much of Thai pottery and ceramics in the later centuries was influenced by Chinese ceramics, but has always remained distinct.
Thai pottery and ceramics were an essential part of the trade between Thai and its neighbors during feudalistic times, throughout many dynasties.
Introduction
Thai ceramics show a continuous development through different clay types ans methods of manufacturing since the prehistoric period and are one of the most common Thai art forms. The first type of Thai ceramics ever recorded was the Ban Chiang, dating back to about 3600 B.C. SukhothaiSukhothai
Sukhothai may refer to:* Sukhothai , the historic city* Sukhothai Historical Park* Sukhothai Kingdom, the historic Thai kingdom* Sukhothai Province, one of the northern provinces of ThailandSukhothai may also refer to:...
ware, the most famous style of Thai ceramics, is exported to many countries around the world today.
History
Udon Thani Province
Udon Thani is one of the north-eastern provinces of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Nong Khai, Sakon Nakhon, Kalasin, Khon Kaen, Nong Bua Lamphu and Loei.- Geography :...
, Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
. The ceramics were earthenware made of clay. Common forms of excavated artifacts were cylinders and round vases. The early pots were undecorated while the later ones were carved with geometric patterns and swirling designs. Each of the pieces was also found to have axial perforations which showed that people at that time had knowledge of using tools.
The second important prehistoric Thai ceramics is the Ban Kao which was in Kanchanburi Province. Unlike Ban Chiang, Ban Kao’s wares were thinner and had a glossy surface finish. What is interesting is that there are a wide range of forms and shapes, some of which are similar to bronze wares of Han China.
After the prehistoric period the kingdom that emerged at about 1st century C.E. was the Mons
Mons
Mons is a Walloon city and municipality located in the Belgian province of Hainaut, of which it is the capital. The Mons municipality includes the old communes of Cuesmes, Flénu, Ghlin, Hyon, Nimy, Obourg, Baudour , Jemappes, Ciply, Harmignies, Harveng, Havré, Maisières, Mesvin, Nouvelles,...
. They made considerable ceramics uses in relation to religious symbols in the form of figurines. Ceramics were also used as a building decorations.
Following the Mons were the Khmers who appeared in about the 9th century C.E. Little is known about Khmer ceramics because archaeological research has focused on their great achievements in stone and bronze sculpture. The ceramics of Khmer era are quite interesting. Many of the designs include parts from animal and have a dark brown glaze finish.
The best known of all traditional Thai ceramics are those from Sukhothai
Sukhothai
Sukhothai may refer to:* Sukhothai , the historic city* Sukhothai Historical Park* Sukhothai Kingdom, the historic Thai kingdom* Sukhothai Province, one of the northern provinces of ThailandSukhothai may also refer to:...
and Sawankhalok. Sukhothai wares were generally treated with a creamy white slip and decorated in black with an opaque or greenish glaze. The most famous Sukhothai kiln is the Si Satchanalai. Examples of the wares can be found in many leading museums of the world. Sawanakhalok products tend to be more finely made than the Sukhothai ones. These products are incised and often include animal shapes. Some of the original examples can be found in many private collections and museums today. Ceramics based on these styles are still made at present and widely exported, particularly to the Philippines and Indonesia.
Si Satchanalai
One of the most famous examples of Thai pottery are from the SukhothaiSukhothai
Sukhothai may refer to:* Sukhothai , the historic city* Sukhothai Historical Park* Sukhothai Kingdom, the historic Thai kingdom* Sukhothai Province, one of the northern provinces of ThailandSukhothai may also refer to:...
period from the kilns of S(r)i Satchanalai, which is around Sawankalok in north-central Thailand. This period started in the 13th century CE and continued until the 16th century. The art reached its apex in the 14th century. Examples of Si Satchanalai can be found in many leading museums of the world.
Sukothai traded with these precious ceramics with its neighbours. The transport was often by ship across the oceans. A number of Si Satchanalai ceramics in excellent condition have been excavated in ship wrecks in the Gulf of Thailand
Gulf of Thailand
The Gulf of Thailand , also known in to Malays as Teluk Siam literally meant Gulf of Siam, is a shallow arm of the South China Sea.-Geography:...
, the Andaman Sea
Andaman Sea
The Andaman Sea or Burma Sea is a body of water to the southeast of the Bay of Bengal, south of Burma, west of Thailand and east of the Andaman Islands, India; it is part of the Indian Ocean....
and other waters.
18th Century to Present Day
BangkokBangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
, the capital of Thailand, was founded in 1782 and is represented by the Bencharong and Lai Nam Thong wares. It would seem that Bencharong ceramics first made their appearance during the final phases of the Ayutthaya period in the 18th century, while the Lai Nam Thong wares developed during the 19th century. Bencharong, meaning five colors in Thai, is a hand painted enamel over glazed ceramic. Bencharong was originally made in China and exclusively designed by Thai artists for Thai royals during the 18th – 19th centuries. Lai Nam Thong is an exclusive version of the Bencharong using gold embellishment instead of gold enamel. Both of these wares can be found in private collections of well-to-do citizens.
Styles of Thai Ceramics
| Name | Period | Remarkable goods | Style and process |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ban Chiang Ban Chiang Ban Chiang is an archeological site located in Nong Han district, Udon Thani Province, Thailand. It has been on the UNESCO world heritage list since 1992.... |
3400 BCE - 200 AD | Ceramic goods include spoons, beads, jars, vessel, pots, and vases. Some decorated with simple geometric patterns. | Unglazed – red clay, some red on buff painted |
| Ban Kao | 2000 BCE – 500 BCE [5] | Ceramic goods include jars, vessel, pots, vase, and tripods. Decorated with simple geometric patterns. Ban Kao’s ceramics are thinner when compared to Ban Chiang | Glazed – red and black clay |
| The Mons Mons Mons is a Walloon city and municipality located in the Belgian province of Hainaut, of which it is the capital. The Mons municipality includes the old communes of Cuesmes, Flénu, Ghlin, Hyon, Nimy, Obourg, Baudour , Jemappes, Ciply, Harmignies, Harveng, Havré, Maisières, Mesvin, Nouvelles,... |
200 AD – 1000 AD | Ceramic goods include figurines, votive tablets and building decorations | Unglazed – red clay |
| The Khmers | 9th century – 13th century | Ceramic goods include vases, pots, and jars with designs of animal body parts on them | Dark brown glazed – black clay |
| Sukhothai Sukhothai Sukhothai may refer to:* Sukhothai , the historic city* Sukhothai Historical Park* Sukhothai Kingdom, the historic Thai kingdom* Sukhothai Province, one of the northern provinces of ThailandSukhothai may also refer to:... and Sawankhalok |
14th century – 16th century | Ceramic goods include animal figurines, bowls, and boxes | Opaque or greenish glazed – creamy white slip – fine clay |
| Ayutthaya and Bangkok Bangkok Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom... |
17th century - present | Ceramic goods include bowls, pedestal plates, roof tiles, and votive tablets | Enameled painted – creamy white slip – fine clay |