Ceramic Stories – Southeast Asian Ceramic Society (SEACS)

One of the joys of collecting ceramics are the stories behind the pieces we have in our collections. Many of the stories you are about to read are from real collectors, the majority of whom are members of the Southeast Asian Ceramic Society, who have shared here the motivation or emotion–or knowledge gained or lessons learned–from a ceramic in their collection. Other stories are from folk tales or other literary sources where potters or ceramics have played a key role. We hope you will enjoy these stories, and do let us know if you’d like to add your own….

Identifying Marco Polo and Shufu Ceramics

pbjwelch2022-10-27T16:53:44+08:00

Confused by the terms 'Marco Polo ware' or 'Shufu', here's an introduction to these two members of the qingbai family, and some guidelines that will help in the identification of each.

Identifying Marco Polo and Shufu Ceramicspbjwelch2022-10-27T16:53:44+08:00

Water Pots

pbjwelch2022-07-29T10:31:33+08:00

Surahi or goglet, water pots were--and perhaps still are in some regions--part of life in Asia. This member recalls their popularity and tries to trace their many shapes and origins.

Water Potspbjwelch2022-07-29T10:31:33+08:00

Collecting Yuan Blue and White Shards

pbjwelch2022-06-07T17:30:21+08:00

How the only collection of Yuan blue-and-white shards in America ended up in the Palace Museum in Beijing

Collecting Yuan Blue and White Shardspbjwelch2022-06-07T17:30:21+08:00

A ‘Kunlun’ Slave: An Unusual Mingqi Figurine

pbjwelch2022-05-31T15:40:05+08:00

Slaves were part of tribute and trade goods in China during the Song and were even depicted in pottery figurines: 崑仑奴 [kūnlúnnú] or “Kun-lun slave”.

A ‘Kunlun’ Slave: An Unusual Mingqi Figurinepbjwelch2022-05-31T15:40:05+08:00

A Japanese Kabuki ‘Sewamono’ Play

pbjwelch2022-05-31T12:32:44+08:00

A traditional Japanese kabuki play dazzles audiences with its story of how a potter invents a new glaze

A Japanese Kabuki ‘Sewamono’ Playpbjwelch2022-05-31T12:32:44+08:00

A 1921 Account of a Local Burmese Pottery

SEACS2022-06-01T16:42:44+08:00

A collector's interest is piqued when he discovers an 1897 reprint of a late 19th century book on Burma written by George Bird.

A 1921 Account of a Local Burmese PotterySEACS2022-06-01T16:42:44+08:00

Japanese Ceramics: Spellbound by the Kiln Gods

SEACS2022-05-26T09:57:07+08:00

An introduction to Bizen, Shigaraki and Echize: three centres of ceramics production belonging to the 'Six Old Kilns of Japan'.

Japanese Ceramics: Spellbound by the Kiln GodsSEACS2022-05-26T09:57:07+08:00

Late 19C British transfer-printed ceramic plates found in Musi River in Indonesia

SEACS2022-05-31T12:59:37+08:00

How did three British-made plates come to be found by divers in the Musi River?....

Late 19C British transfer-printed ceramic plates found in Musi River in IndonesiaSEACS2022-05-31T12:59:37+08:00

How Bernard Leach taught the Japanese to make handles

SEACS2022-05-31T12:45:19+08:00

Japanese pots, bowls, cups and other ceramics rarely had handles until recently....

How Bernard Leach taught the Japanese to make handlesSEACS2022-05-31T12:45:19+08:00

St. Ignatius of Loyola tea bowl and saucer

SEACS2022-05-31T14:51:20+08:00

The original inspiration for this depiction of Saint Ignatius was an oil-on-canvas painting by the great Flemish artist Peter Paul Rubens....

St. Ignatius of Loyola tea bowl and saucerSEACS2022-05-31T14:51:20+08:00

Tipu’s Tiger immortalised in Clay

SEACS2022-05-31T12:25:33+08:00

The story begins in the 1790s in India where the 'honourable' East India Company was struggling to maintain control....

Tipu’s Tiger immortalised in ClaySEACS2022-05-31T12:25:33+08:00

English Heraldic Souvenir Ceramics

SEACS2022-05-26T10:10:37+08:00

English heraldic souvenir ware is more commonly known as ‘crested china’ and during wartime many figurines took on personas to happily 'do their bit'!

English Heraldic Souvenir CeramicsSEACS2022-05-26T10:10:37+08:00