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
SEACS members and their guests are invited to this long-awaited talk by ceramics expert Peter Lam on 'Kitchen Ch'ing porcelain made in Hong Kong'. The origin of these colourful ceramics, also known as 'Peranakan ware' in Southeast Asia, has been a long-debated subject. Many have offered their hypotheses as to the location of their original production and decoration centres, but now you have an opportunity to hear from an expert.
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
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 [...]
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 [...]
Thai and Japanese Ceramic Exhibition at Bangkok Nat’l Museum now until 14 December 2022
An exhibition on Thai and Japanese ceramics is on at the Bangkok National Museum until December 14 and includes ceramics ranging from a 16C blue-green glaze jarlet from Sukhothai to an Arita figurine created around the same period in Japan. This charming ceramic exhibition is being held in the Siwamokhaphiman Hall, Bangkok National Museum. The showcase features a selection of the finest Thai and Japanese porcelain and ceramic works created around the fourteenth and sixteenth centuries.
The 17th Century Chinese Porcelain Collection of Sir Michael Butler
A review of Teresa Canepa and Katharine Butler's new book on Sir Michael Butler's Chinese porcelain collection that focuses on 17th century wares, is reviewed in the summer edition of Wreckwatch Magazine.