Page 10 - Catalogue Southeast Asian Ceramics

Southeast Asian Ceramics New Light on Old Pottery

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Ewer, angsa-shaped, celadon
Sawankhalok
14 th –15 th C
H: 10.3 cm, L: 12.6 cm, W: 7.8 cm
NUS Museum S2003-0001-036-0
In the form of a goose (angsa in Sanskrit, often
transliterated as hamsa) with crest and recurved crescent-
shaped tail touching the wide mouthrim; the bird’s head
and long neck function as the spout; neck and collar of
ewer are glazed with dark green; body of lighter celadon
green is of depressed globular shape, incised with stylised
anatomical parts (wings and tail). This form was commonly
used by residents of Thailand, as well as made for export.
Many variations on the form exist, and they were made
in brown and black underglaze painted versions and
monochrome white, as well as celadon (see Guérin & van
Oenen 2005: 175–186). They assigned a relatively late date,
after 1500 CE, to the peak of production of these ewers.
The goose was the vehicle of the deity Brahma in Hindu
mythology; in Myanmar the statue of a goose is often
found on top of pillars (stambha) in courtyards of Buddhist
temples. This refers to a legend of a flood. A gold version
was found in the crypt beneath Wat Ratburana at Ayutthaya,
and the motif often appears in other media such as gilded
cast iron on more recent temples. (Cf. Willetts 1971: pl 339)
Donated by Dr Peter Lu.
Kendi
Sawankhalok
15 th –16 th C
H: 14.2 cm, D: 16cm
NUS Museum S1954-0054-001-0
“Of flattened globular shape and with a mammiform spout;
the neck with a flange below the mouthrim; decorated in
underglaze iron-black; the neck-flange and the shoulder
at the base of the neck with rosettes of lotus petals; the
body with six complete and two interrupted ovoid panels
containing vegetal sprays; the spout with six plantain leaves
on the ‘breast’, and a rosette of lotus petals round the
‘nipple’; with two incised circular bands on the lower body;
the carved footrim with its outer side moulded and splayed,
its inner side chamfered down to the base, disclosing an
oatmeal biscuit and a distinct pontil scar.” (Willetts 1971:
pl 183; cf. also Brown 2002a: 53) The majority of Thailand
Sawankhalok kendis had mammiform spouts. In addition
to Thailand, many examples have been found in Java,
Kalimantan, Sumatra and Bali; they are however rare in the
Philippines and Sulawesi (Guérin & van Oenen 2005: 158).
opposite (top and bottom right):
Kiln waster and assorted kiln furniture
Kalong, Thailand 119
15 th –16 th C
Various
Private Collection
Seven pieces: one kiln waster comprising a bowl and fallen
tubular support; one tall pontil, three stands of varying
heights and two tripod-shaped supports.
(bottom right):
Grey jarlet with ring handles
Kalong, Thailand
H: 12.5 cm, D: 10 cm
Private Collection
Grey-glazed jarlet with two pierced ring handles; on body,
faintly incised vertical lines between two horizontal bands of
same design. (Cf. Honda & Shimazu 1997: 212 pl 279)