14th Century Thai Ceramics

Vessel, 14th century
Sawankhalok culture; Thailand
Ceramic; 2 3/4 x 9 5/8 in
90.5.73
The Bowers Museum is lucky to hold in its collection a number of fine examples of Thai pottery. The following are two of our finest examples from the 14th century. These objects are in astoundingly good condition and originate from the Sawankhalok region of Thailand just north of the modern city of Chang Mai. The different characteristics of the ceramics illustrate the highly specialized Thai pottery industry of the era, whose abundant individual potters produced unique objects for individual buyers. The globular vessel utilizes white and blue glazes and has a repeating phoenix motif; both glaze colors and motif are borrowed from the Chinese. The bowl is glazed celadon green and has interior decorations of concentric lotus blossoms and leaves. This vegetal motif is commonly used in the center of bowls and plates and is regularly found on all types of Thai ceramic vessels. The bases of both pieces were intentionally left unglazed as was the preference at the time they created. Artistic mastery and individualism can be seen in the designs and both objects are full of movement, even giving a sense of audio-visual synesthesia.
Between the 14th and 16th centuries pottery production in Thailand grew and intensified in response to the Chinese government’s ban on exportation of domestic goods. Post-Mongol rule left Chinese rulers cautious of foreigners (barbarians) and those who did not recognize the superiority of the emperor were unable to establish commercial trade. This drastically disrupted commerce and Chinese merchants were forbidden to engage in oversees trading. As a result ceramic production in Thailand flourished as potters met the stylistic demands and production of goods no longer available from China. Similarly the Thai also learned and adopted the technique to produce glazed stoneware from surrounding South East Asian nations whose exports also increased during the time of Chinese trade restrictions. Eagerly accepting foreign influence, the Thai masterfully modified and developed practices into their own local and individual styles.


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