Antique Sawankhalok Glazed Stoneware Lidded Bowl, Thailand #1001

Description

Sawankhalok in north-central Thailand is an area with great amounts of ceramic kiln production during the Sukhothai Kingdom (1238-1583). When Ming emperors forbade export of Chinese ceramics from 1368-1487, a period known as the Ming Gap, Thailand became a major ceramics producer and exporter to Southeast Asia, Japan and the Middle East. During the 14th and 15th centuries, Sawankhalok kilns created a large range of shapes and glazes including many of their own unique creations. Stoneware lidded boxes were functional and considered signs of wealth for Thais and overseas owners. and more, they were also ancestral pieces sometimes found buried with the deceased for use in the afterlife. Round shapes, lotus bud handles and floral design motifs were adopted from Hindu and Buddhist reliquaries and architectural elements. Although they were used to store almost anything, their primary use was for spices, powders and cosmetics, betel nut chewing materials, and medicine. This kiln-fired Sawankhalok stoneware box has a close-fitting cover and rests on a thick foot. Its lid has a brown lotus bud handle and a surrounding linear medallion on the top. Alternating panels of underglaze brown crosshatch and vegetal scrolls begin on the lid and continue below on the body and each panel is separated by a series of vertical and circular lines that dividing it into panels on the body below and lid above.

Sources:

Roxanna Maude Brown, The Ming Gap and Shipwreck Ceramics in Southeast Asia: Towards a Chronology of Thai Trade Ware, Bangkok, Siam Society, 2009.

Louise Allison Cort with George Ashley Williams IV and David P. Rehfuss, “Ceramics in Mainland and Southeast Asia, National Museum of Asian Art,” Collections in the Freer Gallery of Art,

Tom Harrison, “Ming Gap and Kota Batu, Brunei,” The Sarawak Museum Journal, New Series 8(11)/Old Series (26), pp. 273-77, 1958.

University of Michigan Museum of Art, “Sawankhalok Ware Covered Box with a conch handle, a band of stars, and vegetal school design.