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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Prehistoric Thai Bronze Age jewelry, adzes and tools have been found all over Thailand. Excavations from various soil levels show many sites had been inhabited for millennia. They confirm the existence of an early, well-developed metallurgical tradition of bronze digging and cutting tools, adzes (ancient axe like tools to cut wood), adult and child’s bronze…
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.
Produced in Thai kilns in the 14th to 15th centuries, Sawankhalok glazed stoneware lidded bowls were distributed through Southeast Asia along with a variety of larger and smaller items. Lidded bowls like this were used to store many things, especially spices, powders and cosmetics, betel nut chewing materials, and medicine. This bowl rests on a thick foot, has a lid with a radiating glazed petals surrounding an olive-brown glazed lotus bud handle. The cover’s side has a band of pointed star points and the body is covered with an intricate scroll of white glazed colored branches and florals.
Produced in Thai kilns in the 14th to 15th centuries, Sawankhalok glazed stoneware lidded bowls were distributed through southeast Asia along with a variety of larger and smaller items. Lidded bowls like this were used to store many things, especially spices, powders and cosmetics, betel nut chewing materials, and medicine. This bowl rests on a thick foot, has a lid with a brown lotus bud handle and covered with decorative panels of underglaze brown crosshatch and vegetal scrolls.
Produced in Thai kilns in the 14th to 15th centuries, Sawankhalok glazed stoneware lidded bowls were distributed through southeast Asia along with a variety of larger and smaller items. Lidded bowls like this were used to store many things, especially spices, powders and cosmetics, betel nut chewing materials, and medicine. It has an elegant mangosteen shape, alternating vibrant cream and brown glazes and stylized incised floral and geometric designs. The lid has a curved stem handle and a round raised calyx, a circle of radiating leaf-like projections that represents a mangosteen.
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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