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, members meet both online and at programme events to hear talks by experts, exchange information, and to study and compare ‘pots’.
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. Membership is 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 (Singapore-based) 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. While the ceramics sale is a physical sale in Singapore; the book sales are held on-line with the list mailed to all members with the option of pick-up or mail orders.
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.
President
Vice-Presidents
WELCH Mathew Nevil
Treasurer
Secretary
Councillors
CLARK Tim
FOO Shu Tieng
KASTEN Darlene
NAI Andrew
TAN Joo Ban (Joanne) TEO Zhen Peng
Honorary Auditors
EDLESON Mark
Monthly ZOOM talks by experts are recorded and available as online recordings to members
A Thai Buriram kiln lime pot in the shape of an owl
Scene from one of our annual SEACS ceramic sales for members and their guests
Handling sessions led by specialists and senior collectors provide fun and excellent learning experiences for our members
Exhibitions organised by the Southeast Asian Ceramic Society, Singapore
11th exhibition, 2019 – SEACS 50th Anniversary
10th exhibition, 2009 – Southeast Asian Ceramics: New Light on Old Pottery
9th exhibition, 1993 – Ceramics in Scholarly Taste
8th exhibition, 1991 – Spirit of Han: Ceramics for the Afterlife
7th exhibition, 1983 – Song Ceramics
6th exhibition, 1982 – Vietnamese Ceramics
5th exhibition, 1981 – Khmer Ceramics, 9th – 14th Century
4th exhibition, 1979 – Chinese Celadons and Other Related Wares in Southeast Asia
3rd exhibition, 1978 – Chinese Blue and White Ceramics
2nd exhibition, 1973 – Chinese White Wares
1st exhibition, 1971 – Ceramic Art of Southeast Asia
William Willetts Lectures
According to the Minutes of the 135th Council Meeting held on 29 April 1999:
“Point 3b. Name of Annual Lecture Following the Annual General Meeting: It was unanimously agreed to name the lecture, which follows the AGM, The William Willetts Lecture in memory of Mr Willetts who founded the Society.”
The first William Willetts Lecture was held in 1999. Below is the list of all the William Willetts Lectures held since then:
2022 Professor Peter Lam: “Kitchen Ch’ing Porcelain made in Hong Kong”
2021 Dr. Michael Flecker: “Historical Shipwrecks in Singapore Waters”
2020 Cancelled due to the Covid-19 Virus
2017 Professor John Miksic: “How Full is Our Bowl?”
2016 Professor Wang Gungwu: “By Land or Sea: Ceramics and Silk”
2014 Dr. Kenson Kwok: “How Peranakan is it?”
2013 Dawn Rooney: “Reflections on Southeast Asian Ceramics: Willetts’ Foresight”
2011 Natalie SY Ong & Alvin Chia: Launch of SEACS Online Museum
2010 Rose Kerr: “Chinese Ceramics made for export to Southeast Asia in the Victoria & Albert Museum”
2009 Professor Peter Y.K. Lam: “Putting Broken Pieces Together: Dating evidences for 14th – 19th Century Chinese Ceramic Finds in Singapore”
2008 Dr John Miksic: “Strange Discoveries: Mysterious Artefacts in Singapore”
2007 John Guy: “Asian Ceramics in Production and Trade in Southeast Asia’s ‘Age of Empires’”
2006 Professor Wang Gungwu: “Tribute and Trade: The Ming Dynasty”
2005 Heidi Tan: “New Insights on Rare Vietnamese Ceramics in the Asian Civilisations Museum Collection”
2004 Professor Kwa Chong Guan: “The Indianisation of Southeast Asia”
2003 Dr Kenson Kwok: “Blanc de Chine – the Hickley Collection”
2002 Mr Anthony Lin: “The Imperial Porcelains of the Kangxi Era”
2001 Mr Dorian Ball “Salvage from Shipwrecks – Recovering Antique Porcelain for Collectors”
2000 Mrs Jean Martin: “Chinese Blue and White Ceramics: Singapore 1978 in Retrospect”
1999 Mr. Christopher Frape: “The Jade Culture of Ancient Vietnam”