Southeast Asian Ceramic Society

Formed in 1969, the Southeast Asian Ceramic Society’s purpose is to widen appreciation and acquire knowledge of the ceramic art of China and countries adjacent to China, especially those of Southeast Asia. To pursue this aim, local members meet for periodic discussion, to hear talks by experts and to study and compare ‘pots’.

The Southeast Asian Ceramics Society organised an inaugural Exhibition at the University Art Museum, Singapore in 1971. This landmark exhibition consisted of 350 examples of Khmer, Annamese and early Thai pottery, drawn largely from the University collection built up by Mr William Willetts, the curator, who served as the first President of the Society. A substantial number of pieces also came from the collection of Don Sinclair and other Members of the first Council.

The historian Mr John Guy has noted that this "presentation of the then little known ceramic tradition of Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam caused a stir amongst the oriental ceramic cognoscenti.” Furthermore, that "the Willetts pioneering Catalogue for the Society inspired a generation of younger scholars and stimulated the interest of government archaeological departments throughout Southeast Asia." As a consequence, ceramic societies were to emerge in ensuing years in West Malaysia, Jakarta, Manila and Hong Kong, following the lead of the Singapore chapter.

The Society held 9 exhibitions in the period 1971-1993, and since 1999 has organised an annual William Willetts Lecture which is held immediately after the Society's Annual general meeting

In 2009, the Society is celebrating its 40th anniversary. A new book entitled “New Light on Southeast Asian Ceramics: 40 Years of Research and Discovery" will be published and an exhibition of the same name will be held at NUS Museum, Singapore.

Current & Forthcoming Events click on the links below or go to Events page for more info * unless otherwise noted, location of listed events is Singapore 30 june 2009 lecture@ Celadon Room, NUS Museum New Light on Southeast Asian Ceramics: 40 Years of Research and Discovery by Prof. John Miksic 23 july 2009 lecture @ Lecture Room, Peranakan Museum Jingdezhen by Chan Mei Lei August 2009 talk by Patricia Welch date & topic TBA ongoing exhibition @ NUS Museums, Singapore Ways of Seeing Chinese Art What's new on this website? new link: Ceramics in Mainland Southeast Asia: Collections in the Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Tang Shipwreck: Made in China by Simon Worrall National Geographic, June 2009 The Oriental Ceramic Society of the Philippines May-June 2009 newsletter uploaded 23 june 2009 The Oriental Ceramic Society (UK) Summer 2009 Programme uploaded 29 apr 2009 The Oriental Ceramic Society of Hong Kong Ltd Winter/Spring Newsletter, March 2009 uploaded 17 mar 2009	Council \| Events \| Publications \| Readings News from Other Societies \| Links \| Maps How to Join \| How to Contact Us
	Formed in 1969, the Southeast Asian Ceramic Society’s purpose is to widen appreciation and acquire knowledge of the ceramic art of China and countries adjacent to China, especially those of Southeast Asia. To pursue this aim, local members meet for periodic discussion, to hear talks by experts and to study and compare ‘pots’. The Southeast Asian Ceramics Society organised an inaugural Exhibition at the University Art Museum, Singapore in 1971. This landmark exhibition consisted of 350 examples of Khmer, Annamese and early Thai pottery, drawn largely from the University collection built up by Mr William Willetts, the curator, who served as the first President of the Society. A substantial number of pieces also came from the collection of Don Sinclair and other Members of the first Council. The historian Mr John Guy has noted that this "presentation of the then little known ceramic tradition of Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam caused a stir amongst the oriental ceramic cognoscenti.” Furthermore, that "the Willetts pioneering Catalogue for the Society inspired a generation of younger scholars and stimulated the interest of government archaeological departments throughout Southeast Asia." As a consequence, ceramic societies were to emerge in ensuing years in West Malaysia, Jakarta, Manila and Hong Kong, following the lead of the Singapore chapter. The Society held 9 exhibitions in the period 1971-1993, and since 1999 has organised an annual William Willetts Lecture which is held immediately after the Society's Annual general meeting In 2009, the Society is celebrating its 40th anniversary. A new book entitled “New Light on Southeast Asian Ceramics: 40 Years of Research and Discovery" will be published and an exhibition of the same name will be held at NUS Museum, Singapore.