Welcome to the
Southeast Asian Ceramic Society
(SEACS)
What is the Southeast Asian Ceramic Society?
The Southeast Asian Ceramic Society was founded in 1969 in Singapore 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, members meet in live or online sessions to hear talks by both local and international experts, to share information and to study and compare ‘pots’. Members also have access to previous recorded lectures and events, but many of this website’s features are free and available to all as you will discover.
For example, our members share some of their collecting stories (and the lessons they learned) with you in “Ceramic Stories”, found on the main menu. Read the story of one collector’s research into the collection he built up over the years while living in Southeast Asia by clicking on the picture on the right.
Upcoming events
The Tang Dynasty-era shipwreck continues to be the centre of attention. In this talk, author Dr. Natali Pearson will focus on the new knowledge it has bought to the surface about the maritime silk road as well as the controversies that have accompanied the ship and its cargo's discovery and display.
Who we are and what we do…
We are a non-profit society, founded in 1969, whose members are interested in Southeast Asian ceramics. Members needn’t be collectors, just interested in the various roles ceramics play in history, trade and culture. We are open to all from beginners to academics to specialized collectors. The Society arranges monthly programmes held on ZOOM with both local and international experts. The majority of our programmes are now recorded and available to members as a benefit of membership.
For local members, hands-on ‘handling sessions’ are held on a regular basis with experts to help members learn how to identify correctly the ceramics they may own or be considering for purchase. We also arrange an annual ceramics and book sale (featuring items de-accessioned from members’ collections) that includes many hard-to-find, out-of-print books on ceramics. Our online presence includes the digitisation of some of our publications. Field trips to both local and international destinations are regular member highlights.
The society and its early exhibitions “of the then-little-known ceramic tradition of Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam caused a stir amongst the oriental ceramic cognoscenti, … 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. Browse the many resources open to all on our website.
Ceramic News
Kiln Site producing white porcelain from the Xixia found in Ningxia Hui autonomous region
Excavations from the Suyukou kiln ruins in Helan county, Ningxia Hui autonomous region reveal that white porcelain was made during the Xixia (1038-1227) era, some marked with the Chinese character "guan".
The Art of Japanese Porcelain exhibition on at the Bristol Museum, UK
Visitors to the UK from now until 30 July 2023 are invited to see the Bristol Museum & Art Gallery's special exhibition of Japanese porcelain (1640-1680). "Much of the porcelain featured comes from the Irene Finch Collection, a large collection gifted to the museum in 2012. Miss Irene Finch (1918-2019) was a retired science teacher with a deep passion for Japanese porcelain. For over 30 years [...]
Jiajing Ceramics on Display at the Hong Kong Museum of Art (HKMoA)
Visiting Hong Kong? The Hong Kong Museum of Art is celebrating the 500th anniversary of the Jiajing Emperor (1507-1567) with an exhibition that includes the ceramics of his period. Jiajing was a devout Daoist, and many of the ceramics produced during this period were influenced by Daoism, featuring auspicious designs ranging from the character for longevity (壽) to the eight triagrams. "The averag [...]
A New Look at the Many Lives of the Belitung Shipwreck
The University of Hawai'i Press has published a new book by Dr. Natali Pearson that looks at the past and present of the Belitung shipwreck from her initial discovery through the fascinating, convoluted history of the questions it has raised amongst marine archaeologists, governments, collectors, museums and international organisations ever since. A short summary of Belitung: The Afterlives of a S [...]
Qing Dynasty shipwreck found bearing Ceramics from Jingdezhen
China recently announced the excavation of a late Qing Dynasty shipwreck (dated to the reign of Emperor Tongzhi, 1862-1875), one of the largest and best-preserved wooden shipwrecks discovered underwater in China to date, whose cargo included Jingdezhen ceramics. It will be known as the Yangtze No. 2 Ancient Shipwreck. According to archaeological investigations, the ship is about 38.1 meters long [...]
Society for Chinese Ceramics Studies Exhibition
Singapore's Society for Chinese Ceramic Studies is holding an exhibition entitled "Kaleidoscope in Clay: Glazes and Forms through 5000 Years of Chinese Ceramics" at the Gallery @L3, Fort Canning Centre, Fort Canning Park, 5 Cox Terrace, Singapore 179620 from 7 October 2022 - 10 February 2023, 10 AM to 6 PM daily (Note: the gallery is closed the last Monday of each month). SEACS members are warmly [...]