Page 83 - Chinese and Asian Ceramics from an Indonesian Collection

Ceramics from the Musi River

Figure 101. Bottle, height 11.6 cm, Central Thailand, Si
Satchanalai kilns, C14–mid-C16, from the Musi
River. Catalogue No. K2035.

In the 14th century Sukhothai Province fell under the
influence of the Ayutthaya Kingdom, which pushed both
domestic and regional trade. An important aspect of such
trade was the development of the glazed ceramic industry and
export of wares from the second half of the 15th century, both
through the Chao Praya River system and westwards overland
through the Martaban region of lower Burma. Sukhothai
Province became the centre for Thai trade ceramics and glazed Figure 102. Figurine, sitting woman clutching and unidentified
ceramics began to be produced in Si Satchanalai about the object, head repaired prior to purchase, height
12th century. The kilns were centred at Ban Ko Noi where 10.2 cm, Central Thailand, Si Satchanalai kilns,
some 200 kilns have been reported, but the figure may be as C14–mid-C16, from the Musi. Catalogue No.
high as 600 to 800 kilns (Brown 1989, Glover 1993). Sukhothai, K2496.
some 50 km south of Si Satchanalai, also produced a range
of glazed ceramics at that time. The Si Satchanalai kilns earlier). As noted by Brown (1989) the range of basic shapes
were working at full capacity during the period of the export produced at the Si Satchanalai kilns during its later stages of
trade in ceramics between late-14th to mid-16th century, but production is ‘quite astonishing’. This variety is reflected in
particularly in the 15th century. Under-glaze iron decorated recoveries from the Musi, which are dealt with below separated
wares were among the earliest ceramics traded. by major kiln and ware type.
Brown (1989) suggests that there was a substantial
production of somewhat primitive ‘Mon’ glazed ceramics Si Satchanalai kilns
at these Central Thailand kilns prior to mass production Celadon wares
for the international trade. The earliest date for such ‘Mon’ A greenish ‘Mon Ware’, which was mainly bowls, was probably
production is conjectural but some have proposed that it the first glazed pottery from Si Satchanalai. Several bowls
began early-10th century. from the Musi River (K704, K834, K838) may be examples
The range of glazed ceramic ware from the Central and of this ware (Figure 95).
Northern kilns was quite varied; it was less so from the Lower However, with development of above ground brick
Central Thailand kilns (e.g., Shaw 1981, Brown 1989, Tingley cross-draft kilns a more robust thick and glassy pale or dark
1993, Richards 1995). Many of these forms were exported sea-green and occasionally a soft coloured opaque blue
to South East Asia (Tantoco 1976, Adhyatman 1981, Miksic coloured celadon glaze was developed and widely exported.
2009, and from SEAC references and shipwrecks referenced Occasionally, a white slip was applied before decorating Si

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