Thailand, which was called Siam until 1939, is in the center of mainland Southeast Asia and surrounded by Myanmar (Burma), Laos, and Cambodia. It is home to large numbers of immigrants and their descendants from China and other countries in South and Southeast Asia that include a broad range of ethnic groups. Most Thais are adherents of Theravada Buddhism, which is shared by people in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and parts of southern China and southern Vietnam. An important part of Theravada Buddhism is the community of monks (sangha) and almost every community has at least one temple-monastery (wat), where monks live, offer Buddhist teachings, perform communal rituals, and receive offerings from laypeople. Laypeople acquire Buddhist merit (bun) from these gifts which improves their karma and chances for good rebirth. Monks also convey the teachings of the Buddha through sermons and actions that exemplify ideal behavior. From the 14-16th centuries Thailand was a major exporter of ceramics to many Asian counties that were made in Si Satchanalai area in kilns called Sawankhalok. The VA collection offers some of these items. from which the VA collection has pieces. We also. have bronze items made during the Khmer Empire’s expansion into Eastern and Central Thailand as well as bronzes from the first Thai Sukhothai Kingdom.
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This rare 13-14th century Sukhothai ring-shaped bronze bangle has a unique design. While many Sukhothai were undecorated, this one is has three raised knobs dividing it into thirds, articulated ends and, rather than being a complete circle, it has a small opening.
Antique and vintage ceramic tobacco pipes are part of a long cultural tradition of Burmese/Myanmar and Thai hill tribes. Mould made and adorned with intricate designs, a bamboo or metal stem was often inserted at the end through which smoke was drawn. This highly collectible antique item reflects hill-tribe skills creating decorative functional objects and would be a unique gift for any pipe smoker, but, like all antique items, we recommended it be used as a decorative item.
This finely designed 14/15th century globular stoneware box resting on a short foot has an olive-brown glazed lotus bud handle surrounded by radiating radiating lightly glazed petals above a band of geometric shapes. The body is lyrically ornamented with an intricate scroll of white, light glazed and incised colored branches and florals on an olive-brown glaze background. Its fine appearance is a result of the unusual lovely olive-brown surface with a glaze applied sparsely in some areas and thicker in others to offset the vegetal scrolls.
This gazed stoneware lidded bowl rests on a solid well-cut foot and has a close-fitting cover. The lid’s center has a lotus bud handle with a surrounding linear medallion on the top. Alternating panels have underglaze brown crosshatching and vegetal scrolls beginning on the lid, continuing below to the body and each pane separated by a series of vertical and circular lines.
This stoneware Sawankhalok lidded jar was made in the famous Sukhothai kilns in Thailand in the 14-15th century. The distinctive local Thai design is unique in the history of ceramic making as seen in this elegant mangosteen shape lidded jar with curved stem handle and a round raised calyx, and stylized incised floral and geometric designs. The lid has a circle of radiating leaf-like projections that protects a developing flower and represents a mangosteen, the delicious sweet tropical fruit loved throughout Southeast Asia. This is truly a remarkable example of the power and grace of antique Thai ceramics. A similar piece can be seen in the renowned Powerhouse Digital Archive Collection.
This lovely 20th century Thai bronze statue is the White Clad Guanyin seated in meditation with her hands in her lap holding her vial of precious dew with her legs covered by her robes which flow to the top of the finely rendered multi-tiered lotus throne. Her open hood is centered by a mandorla surrounding an image of Buddha Amitabha, the Buddha of Infinite Light, her spiritual teacher. She is a vision of compassionate serenity with her half closed eyes and benevolent smile.
The beautiful contemporary bronze Buddha is rendered in Thai Lopburi style in Earth Witnessing (bhumisparsha mudra) wearing a simple two-part Theravada Buddhist monk’s robe that shows his religious devotion. He sits on a highly decorative pierced throne on a three footed curved base. The composition is a double triangle: the three-footed throne itself is a horizontal triangle as it recedes backward in space, and the Buddha and the throne form a vertical triangle. The heavy statue is filled with a cement binder, and it is in excellent condition.
This antique coconut grater is a very practical multi-use creation designed to cut, grate, shave, husk, and shred coconuts and large fruits and vegetables. Some were carved as crouching rabbits and others like this were realistic renderings of small mammals. Its decorative appeal includes lovely 6-petal flowers above its four legs and elegantly curved and metal piece extending ” W:from its mouth. With its warm and rustic feel, it would be a unique decorative addition to any kitchen and an interesting conversational piece.
This mid 20th century Buddha Shakyamuni in Earth Witnessing position is carved in rural Lao style. Covered with gilt, the small rustic and simply carved image follows Lao artistic canons for depicting a Buddha: a curved hairline and high arched eyebrows that meet at the bridge of the nose, distinct hair curls, long ears, and a flame-shaped radiance emerging from his ushnisha. Its very large base is as tall and wide as the image, reflecting Laotian beliefs that a high pedestal reflects a deep respect for the Buddha. A base has been added for display purposes. Authentic old Lao images, even small personal ones like this, are difficult to find.
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