Ceramic Stories

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….

A 1921 Account of a Local Burmese Pottery

2022-06-01T16:42:44+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 Pottery2022-06-01T16:42:44+08:00

St. Ignatius of Loyola tea bowl and saucer

2022-05-31T14:51:20+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 saucer2022-05-31T14:51:20+08:00

Tipu’s Tiger immortalised in Clay

2022-05-31T12:25:33+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 Clay2022-05-31T12:25:33+08:00

English Heraldic Souvenir Ceramics

2022-05-26T10:10:37+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 Ceramics2022-05-26T10:10:37+08:00

A Modern Kakiemon Tiger

2022-05-26T10:20:39+08:00

A struggle to choose amongst the thousands of exquisite ceramics in Arita, Japan, results in the purchase of a Kakiemon tiger.

A Modern Kakiemon Tiger2022-05-26T10:20:39+08:00

My Tang Dynasty Court Lady: A Mingqi Figurine

2022-05-31T14:19:36+08:00

Tang or a 19th or 20th-century reproduction? Follow a collector's story of her search for the answer of this Tang burial figurine purchased in Hong Kong in 2007.

My Tang Dynasty Court Lady: A Mingqi Figurine2022-05-31T14:19:36+08:00
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