Page 95 - Chinese and Asian Ceramics from an Indonesian Collection

Ceramics from the Musi River

Figure 137. Kendi, height 9.8 cm, loop handle largely missing,
uncertain age and origin, from the Musi River, Batu
Ampar site. Catalogue No. K2543.

spouts, small and medium sized pots, incense burners and
round and carinated bowls. These were brownish-black
Figure 136. Bottle, height 16.4 cm, unknown origin, possibly burnished ware and only the bowls were decorated and
prehistoric from the Musi River, Batu Ampar Site.
Catalogue No. K2541. that was with paddle impressed crosses and net patterns
(Soegondho 2003).
The Buni site and other similar cultural sites, including
these traditional forms continue to be made at a number that at Batujaya, all dated from about 200 BC–500 AD, were
of sites throughout Indonesia (Soegondho 1995, Anon located near Bekasi and distributed between sites known
1983/1984). In Peninsula Thailand, Srisuchat (2003) from Bekasi to Karawang. Archaeological excavations on
noted that in sites dated from the 1st century BC to the the Buni sites began in 1960 and continue to this date
7th century AD, earthenware could be distinguished (Soegondho 2003, Manguin and Augustijanto 2006, 2011).
from earlier pottery by the presence of chaff and/or Pottery from these sites reveals stylistic and decorative
sand temper in the fabric. The transition from low-fired influences from both Sa-Huynh Kelanay, Bau-Malay and
earthenware to high-fired stoneware originated in China Indian sources. At the Batujaya site, the fine roulette
in the first millennium BC. However, stoneware was not dishes in the Buni phase are replaced with a coarse type
made in Vietnam until sometime between the 1st and 3rd of roulette ware, which is perhaps a crude local copy of
centuries. When this transition took place in other parts earlier fine ware with roulette décor. It is possible that
of the region is uncertain, but excavated storage vessels the small buff coloured jar from the Musi (Figure 130)
confirm that stoneware was made in Cambodia by the with roulette style type of decoration on the shoulder is
8th century (Brown 1989). an example of such a crude local copy. While bowls and
As would be expected, more earthenware was found small dishes had burnished surfaces, usually grey but also
in Indonesia during the Metal Age than the Neolithic buff or orange, similar to those found at Khao Sam Kaeo,
Period, including from the following sites: Pasemah Tra Kieu and Oc Eo, Vietnam. Batujaya also was greatly
(South Sumatra); Pejaten and along the Ciliwung River influenced by Buddhism from the 5th to the 10th century.
(Jakarta); Anyer, Pasir Angin, Buni and Cipari (West Several vessels from the Musi showed affinities with
Java); Plawangan and Gunung Wingko (Central Java); pottery from the Buni culture. These were a thinly potted
Near Sembiran (NE Bali); Gilimanuk (West Bali); Melolo reddish-grey coloured early form of kendi (K878) with an
and Lambanapu (East Sumba); Liang Bua (Flores); Liang apparent husk temper, a buff coloured carinated jar and
Buidane (North Sulawesi), as well as Sungei Siput and the a small jar (Figure 131– Figure 133). All were similarly
Gayo areas of Sumatra. Pottery at these sites comprised potted, had similar foot rings, and were decorated with
a limited assemblage of plates, bowls, pots, storage jars incised triangular pattern on their shoulder. A second
and kendis, both with and without spouts. They were of kendi (Figure 134) had a similar shape and potting to that
medium quality, soft simple earthenwares which were often in Figure 131, but its fabric had mica and apparently no
paddle-impressed or slipped (Ardika 1991, Soegondho vegetative temper. Its decoration was also very uncommon
1995, 2003, Caldwell 1997, Edwards McKinnon 2003). with fine comb marks on its body and a short foot ring
At the Anyer site, moderately large (35 cm high) which was slightly splayed and scalloped at the edge.
jars were found along with long-necked kendis without The base of the foot ring, while recessed, was convex

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