2021
Date: September 23, 2021, 7:00 pm SGT
Making Museums, Making Merit
Gifts have been stored and displayed at sacred sites in Myanmar for millennia as they have elsewhere within the Buddhist world. How have temples managed ever-accumulating collections? And how are objects kept ‘activated’ by curators and devotees? Dr. Tan explored how diverse objects of merit-making, from sacred images to personal possessions such as ceramics, have been collected and displayed at pagoda museums in Myanmar. Ritual protocols that challenged mainstream museum conventions were notable, particularly during pagoda renovations undertaken as Myanmar opened up after 2011. It is timely too, given the current crises, to reflect on these changes and what they tell us about pagoda museums and the growing importance of socially engaged museum practices.
To see the original flyer, click here.
SEACS members can watch the video on the Premium Video page.
Venue:
A e-talk by Dr. Heidi Tan on ZOOM
Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon, 10 February 2016
Date: August 18, 2021, 7:00 pm SGT
Wishing for Noble Sons
The desire for children permeated all strata of society in traditional China – from farmers who needed sons to help them work the land, to emperors who needed sons to perpetuate dynasties. This wish for children was reflected in both the two- and three-dimensional arts from at least as early as the Tang dynasty. This lecture by art expert Rosemary Scott examined the way in which depictions of children developed over time, and how – especially in the Ming and Qing dynasties – additional themes and meanings came to be incorporated.
For more information, click here.
SEACS members can watch the video on the Premium Video page.
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Venue:
A e-talk on ZOOM
“Children taking young magpies out of their nest”, a traditional Chinese New Year woodblock print
Dates: July 14, 19, 21, 26, 28 & August 4
Introduction to Chinese & Asian Ceramics: A Baker’s Dozen of Talks
A series of 12 sessions plus a bonus event introduced the ceramics of the region by the society’s collectors and academic experts. Active SEACS members can watch the entire series of videos on the Premium Video page.
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Venue:
A series of talks and sharing sessions on ZOOM
Date: Wednesday, 21 July, 2021, 8:00-9:00 pm (Singapore time)
Adventures in Yuan Blue & White
Steve Gaskin discussed the rediscovery of Yuan blue and white porcelain in the 20th century; the importance of shards from Trowulan, Java; and his efforts to restore and exhibit the largest collection of Yuan blue and white in the world, located in Delhi, India. Despite its fame today, the very existence of Yuan blue and white was forgotten for almost 600 years. There is still much about it that we do not know. Steve Gaskin is a collector and student of Yuan blue and white porcelain who donated his collection of Yuan blue and white porcelain shards to the Palace Museum in Beijing.
For more information, click here.
SEACS members can watch the video on the Premium Video page.
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Venue:
An e-talk on ZOOM
Yuan Blue & White
Date: Wednesday, 9 June 2021, 8:00-9:00 pm (Singapore time)
Ancient Southeast Asian Pottery from the perspective of a Practitioner
In this talk, Alan Lacovetsky discussed both modern and ancient Southeast Asian pottery from the perspective of a practitioner. Topics covered included many of the secrets of wood-firing kilns and how to influence a firing’s results dependent on the type of wood used, the placement of the ceramics within the kiln, the use of saggers, ash glazes (including the beautiful glazes that can result from the use of apple tree wood), firing temperatures and many other factors of a successful firing. Lastly, he shared with us his insights of the pottery he saw (both past and present) at the ancient site of Angkor Wat.
To see the original flyer, click here.
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Venue:
An e-talk on ZOOM
A pot from Phnom Kulen with a green wood ash glaze. Courtesy: NUS Museum
Date: Sunday, 9 May, 2021, 7:00-8:00 pm (Singapore time)
English Crested Porcelain and the First World War
In this talk, Dr. Alexander Nicholas Shaw discussed the role English Crested Porcelain played in the ceramics history of the UK.
The talk explored the English crested china craze of the 1880s-1930s, shedding light on the social history of mass-market porcelain collecting, which turned its manufacturers’ attention from holiday souvenirs to WWI patriotic statuary that included tanks, submarines, zeppelins, soldiers, nurses, weapons, busts of generals and even a British spy. To see the original flyer, click here.
SEACS members can watch the video on the Premium Video page.
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Venue:
An e-talk on ZOOM
A Carlton China munitionette and her shells
Date: Wednesday, 14 April, 2021, 8:00-9:00 pm (Singapore time)
Mending Pots
Experienced potter, glass-blower and collector Jane Dorner of the U.K., shared with SEACS members how to fix their cracked or broken pots using some simple tools and supplies that can be purchased from most hardware stores. They also learned what one needs to consider before restoring, fixing or tossing that damaged pot. Many cultures see beauty in imperfection; is it time for westerners to re-think what is beautiful? To see the original flyer, click here.
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Venue:
An e-talk on ZOOM
A kintsugi (金継ぎ, “golden joinery”) pot showing the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery
Date: Saturday, 20 March, 2021,, 5:00-6:30 pm (Singapore time)
The 22nd Annual William Willetts Lecture
We were delighted to welcome back a former William Willetts Speaker for this year’s lecture: the renowned ceramic expert Rose Kerr. Her topic was the beautiful and ever-popular northern celadon ceramics from Yaozhou. To see the original flyer, click here.
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Venue:
An e-talk on ZOOM
Yaozhou, Song Dynasty, courtesy: ACM
Date: Wednesday, 24 February, 2021, , 7:00-8:30 pm (Singapore time)
An Introduction to the Mingei Film Archive Project
Director Marty Gross worked in Japan as an apprentice potter in the 1970s and has devoted his professional life to the study and teaching of ceramics and in building a unique film archive of the early days of the Mingei (or folk art) Movement. In this talk he shared some of his archival footage, explaining the history and story behind the Mingei Movement and introduced some of its greatest practitioners to us through film clips and their work. To see the original flyer, click here.
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Venue:
An e-talk on ZOOM
Poster of the Mashiko Festival in 2010
Date: Wednesday, 27 January, 2021, 7:00-8:30 pm (Singapore time)
An Overview of the Evolution of Japanese Ceramic Culture
Speaker Christopher P. Wells reviewed the historic progression of Japanese ceramic culture from Neolithic times through to the emergence of the Japanese ‘folk art’ craze in the 1950s in this richly illustrated talk. Our speaker grew up in Japan and has lived there for 36 years. He and his family have been avid collectors of Japanese ceramics for more than 70 years. For more information, click here. For a pdf of his slide presentation with suggested sites to visit for more information, click here.
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Venue:
An e-talk on ZOOM
Kotozuka Potter
2020
Date: Wednesday, 9 December, 7:00-8:30 pm (Singapore time)
Understanding Ming: Approaches to the Study of Ming Material Culture
This talk examined the art and artefacts of the Ming Dynasty with a view to exploring approaches to the study and connoisseurship of Chinese material culture. Our speaker was Dr. Stacey Pierson, the former Curator of the Percival David Foundation of Chinese Art and a Reader in the History of Chinese Ceramics (SOAS). For more information, click here.
SEACS members can watch the video on the Premium Video page.
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Venue:
An e-talk on ZOOM
A Chenghua doucai wine cup
Date: Wednesday, 18 November, 7:00-8:30 pm (Singapore time)
Members’ Sharing Programme
Acquisition Experiences: The Good, the Bad, and the Inbetween
This was the third in SEACS’ 2020 programme of member presentations. The focus was ‘Acquisition Experiences’ and the artefacts ranged from several Tang artefacts (a mingqi figurine, a Changsha bowl, and a phoenix-headed ewer) to a contemporary Vietnamese ceramic sculpture by Nguyen Khac Quan, a selection of small blue & white Yuan jars, to several Japanese ceramics, a Staffordshire figurine of Lord Raglan (1854), and a modern ‘Xuande period’ cricket container from Jingdezhen. Every story included a lesson learned, an amusing incident, a successful auction result, or an unexpected outcome. Members dialed in from Tokyo to Toronto and all agreed it was a most entertaining and fruitful evening.
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Venue:
An e-talk on ZOOM
Members and their invited guests only
Small blue & white Yuan jars
Date: Saturday, 17 October, 3:00-4:30 pm (Singapore time)
景德镇 Jingdezhen
Jingdezhen‘s Supply Chain from Fu Liang to Guangzhou
Located in Jiangxi Province, in Southeast China, China’s most famous ceramic production center was ideally situated in terms of both natural resources and location. In the Song Dynasty (960-1279), the emperor Zhenzong (宋真宗) selected Jingdezhen (景德镇) to be an imperial porcelain production center in the year 1004, becoming the main imperial production center until the end of the Qing era. During the Ming (1368-1664) and the Qing Dynasty (1664-1911), the quantity of porcelain produced by Jingdezhen increased dramatically both in production as well as the quality of its products. Jingdezhen had become an industrial center of export wares. This presentation highlighted the sequence of processes involved in the production and distribution of Jingdezhen ceramics. You can download a pdf of all the slides here.
Tracey Yeh is a Singapore resident and a long-time volunteer docent with the National Heritage Board, guiding in the Asian Civilisations Museum for eight years. She is originally from Taiwan but has also lived in the USA where she obtained an MBA from Tulane University (located in the enchanting New Orleans, Louisiana). She works as a vice president of a US fintech company that specializes in building data centers around the world. She is a Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M.) by profession, so the supply chain is a topic very close to her heart. Tracey gave this talk previously to the Singapore docent community and it was by popular demand that we asked her to repeat it for members of the Southeast Asian Ceramic Society and our guests. Guests dialed in globally, included a stalwart group from California.
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Date: Wednesday, 16 September, 7:00 pm
Persian Architectural Tiles
The spread of the Islamic faith also facilitated its culture and art through the ancient world. Although Islamic art retains an overall character, there are a great many traditions and local preferences that emerged over time. Islamic architectural ceramic tiles can be regarded as representing a high point in one of the most magnificent forms of decorative art in the world. Margaret focused on the development of the monumental architectural tiles in Iran (formerly Persia). She also examined the principal styles of ceramic tiles, their decorative designs and techniques as well as touching on the links between Persia, the West and Southeast Asia.
Margaret White is a teacher by profession and lived in Singapore from 1991-2011 where she became heavily involved in most aspects of the Friends of the Museum including its President and Advisor. Her passion for Asian art and culture spurred her on to complete an MA in Southeast Asian Studies from the National University of Singapore. She has taught in the Department of Visual Arts at La Salle/SIA College of the Arts and designed workshops for teachers and students visiting the art museum. She has served on the Committee of Management of The Asian Arts Society of Australia (TAASA) since 2012 and for the last 7 years she has convened the NSW Ceramic Study Group. She continues to lecture, write and paint. Margaret has been a member of SEACS for over a decade.
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Date: Wednesday, 19 August, 7:00 pm
How Singapore Acquired the Tang Shipwreck Treasures
Alvin Chia, President of the Southeast Asian Ceramic Society (2008-2011) and a key member of the team that brought this unique shipwreck collection to Singapore, recounted how the Singapore Government acquired the coveted Tang Shipwreck treasures from the Belitung Shipwreck in 2005 against strong competition from museums in China and the Middle East.
The shipwreck was discovered in Indonesian waters in 1998 by a sea cucumber fisherman. Between two monsoon seasons in 1998 and 1999, the treasures were recovered from the seabed of a coral reef. Inbetween the two seasons, some artifacts were stolen but were heroically recovered. Many were found in pristine condition having being protected by sand for over a thousand years.
Alvin took us through the story behind the fund-raising effort that led to the generous donation that made the purchase possible. He also shared with us never-before seen pictures of the secret storeroom in an apple farm in New Zealand in which the ceramics were desalinated, and shared interesting details behind some of the key pieces (some of which have never been on public display). It was a fascinating journey and story behind the collection that is now on rotating display at Singpore’s Asian Civilisations Museum (with a smaller exhibition in Singapore’s Goodwood Park Hotel).
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Date: Wednesday, 29 July 2020, 7:00 pm
Virtual Series #2: Ceramics in Scholarly Taste
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Date: Wednesday, 15 July 2020, 7:00 pm
Navigating the Art Auction Ecosystem
A talk by Andrew Nai, a SEACS Life Member and Council Member since 2016, and experienced auction seller/buyer, explained how art auctions work, the various players and roles that each of them plays, and shared some tips on how to be successful yourself at art auctions.
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Date: Wednesday, 24 June 2020, 7:00 pm
Virtual Series #1: Ceramics in Scholarly Taste
A programme featuring a variety of ceramics that may (or may not) have captured a space in a traditional Chinese scholar’s studio. We looked at ceramics ranging from brush pots to ‘playthings’, each introduced by a member of the Society from his or her own collection, or from a favourite museum’s gallery. This was the first in a series of ‘virtual sharing sessions’.
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Highlights from the event here.
Date: Wednesday, 13 May 2020, 7:00 pm
Reflections on Collecting
A talk by Dr. Kenson Kwok on the interface between private and institutional collecting and how one can feed the other, but also why they should remain quite distinct.
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To be rescheduled from: Friday, 17 April 2020
William Willetts Annual Lecture: Celadons of the North – The Ceramics of Yaozhou
We regret the cancellation of this event due to Covid-19; SEACS will try to reschedule.
7.00pm Friday, 31 January 2020
History of SEACS 1969-2019
After accumulating as many past records and correspondence as possible from current and former members, combing through newspaper files and Singapore’s official archives, and conducting more than three dozen interviews, life member, councillor and author Patricia Bjaaland Welch wrote the history of SEACS since its founding in 1969 (including its past exhibitions, publications, and significant events). It was published by SEACS as part of its 50th anniversary activities and distributed to all life members. Copies remain available from the society. She was also invited by the Singapore Archives to give a well-attended talk to the public on how to research and write a society’s history.
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Venue:
Visitors’ Briefing Room, Level 1
National Library Building
100 Victoria Street
Singapore 188064
To order a copy of the book, click here; to read a short history of the society click here; to download a pdf of the presentation click here
2019
4.00pm Sunday, 8 December 2019
Year-end SEACS Open House
SEACS members celebrated the end of its 2019 activities with an early holiday season Open House where members met and shared a variety of treats with the SEACS Council and their fellow members.
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Venue:
A private home, to be advised
7.00pm Wednesday, 27 November 2019
Learn from the Experts: Chinese Celadons / Longquan
A talk by Andrew Nai and Johanes Rizal on Longquan / Chinese Celadons, a type of greenware that orginated from the Longquan kilns in Zhejiang province, East China.
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Venue:
82 Cairnhill Road
Singapore 22968
11.00am-6.00pm Saturday & Sunday, 9 & 10 November 2019
SEACS Members’ Ceramics and Books Sale
SEACS members and their friends attended a two-day sale of members’ previously-owned ceramics, art books and magazines. This annual event is always a crowd pleaser as it’s both social and helpful and is one of the society’s most popular annual events (usually held in the autumn).
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Venue:
Antiques of the Orient
#02-40, 19 Tanglin Road
Tanglin Shopping Centre
Singapore 247909
more …
7.00pm Wednesday, 6 November 2019
The Artists Who Captured Victorian England in Clay
A talk by Tim Clark on the potters in Staffordshire who during the early 19th century began to produce ceramic figures that chronicled the important characters and events of the day.
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Venue:
Imagination Room, Level 5
National Library Building
100 Victoria Street
Singapore 1880644
6.30pm Sunday, 6 October 2019
Chinese Export Ware for Thai Elites: Bencharong
A talk by Bangkok-resident and editor of Arts of Asia Paul Bromberg on Bencharong, the painted Thai ceramics made in China in the 18th and early 19th centuries exclusively for Siamese royalty. He has since published a well-received book on the subject.
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Venue:
Visitors’ Briefing Room, Level 1
National Library Building
100 Victoria Street
Singapore 188064
4.00pm Sunday, 21 July 2019
How Ceramic Shards Talk. . . Revealing a Wealth of Information
A talk by Dr D. Kyle Latinis on how archaeologists work, and how they maximise data collections from shards. A large display of shards encouraged hands-on discoveries by those present at this well-received and fascinating glimpse into the world of working archaeologists.
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Venue:
Visitors’ Briefing Room, Level 1
National Library Building
100 Victoria Street
Singapore 188064
10:00am, 2 July or 10 October 2019
Special Visit to Singapore’s Heritage Conservation Centre (HCC)
A tour of the facilities and its workshops with special emphasis placed on the ceramics kept at the HCC. This was a rare opportunity to visit this excellent facility managed by Singapore’s National Heritage Board. The staff also prepared a 90-minute hands-on workshop for SEACS members.
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Venue:
32 Jurong Port Road
Singapore 61904
7:00pm Thursday, 13 June 2019
Blue and White Ware Mantras: Sanskrit Inscriptions on Ming Ceramics
A talk by Dr Iain Sinclair on Ming blue-and-white ware mantras: Sanskrit inscriptions on Ming ceramics. A link to his bibliography for recommended reading can be downloaded here.
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Venue:
Visitors’ Briefing Room, Level 1
National Library Building
100 Victoria Street
Singapore 188064
3:00pm Sunday, 5 May 2019
Chinese Nautical Charts: Their Types and Modern Application
A talk by Dr Iain Tai Yew Seng on the different types of Chinese nautuical charts
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Venue:
Ngee Ann Auditorium
Asian Civilisations Museum
1 Empress Place
Singapore 179555
12-19 April 2019
A SEACS Special Study Trip to Jingdezhen, Longquan, and Hangzhou, China
SEACS members were invited to a study trip to Jingdezhen, Longquan and Hangzhou, in which they visited Jingdezhen and its China Ceramic Museum, the Longquan Celadon Museum, the Zhejiang Provincial Museum, the Southern Song Dynasty Guan Kiln Museum, Hangzhou, Chinese Silk City, numerous historic kiln sites, and other interesting places.
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Read more about this exciting expedition to three great ceramic centres here …
6:00pm Saturday 15 March 2019
The William Willetts Annual Lecture: Singapore, the Santa Catarina Incident and the Launch of ‘China Mania’
Open to all is SEACS’ 21st annual William Willetts Lecture by Assoc. Professor Peter Borschberg who after extensive research will recount the story of the Santa Catarina Incident and the its aftermath. A reception was held before the event for all guests and SEACS members to celebrate the society’s 50th anniversity.
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Venue:
The Pod
National Library Building
100 Victoria Street
Singapore 188064
Read Professor Borschberg’s article “The Seizure of the Sta. Catarina Revisited” (2002) here.
7:00pm Wednesday 13 March 2019
Cataloging the Ceramic Collection of Augustus the Strong
Former SEACS Councillor Maura Rinaldi, a renowned authority of kraak ceramics, returned to Singapore to share details of the work being done by scholars, cataloging the ceramic collection of Augustus the Strong in Dresden. Maura pictured here (right) in the collection’s underground storage area.
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Venue:
To be announced
Singapore
Read more here.
7:00pm Wednesday 20 February 2019
The ‘Shirt-Sleeved Diplomat’: Malcolm MacDonald in Malaya and Singapore
100+ Members of the China Society and SEACS joined together for a special dinner and talk by special guest speaker Dr. Alexander Shaw on the diplomat Malcolm MacDonald, who spent many years in Asia and was known to both societies as a great collector with many interests (including ceramics).
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Venue:
Tanglin Club
5 Stevens Road
Singapore 257814
6:30pm Tuesday 12 February 2019
‘Sister Ships’: Three 12th Century Shipwrecks in Southeast Asian Waters
The exciting stories behind the finding and salvaging of three shipwrecks: the Pulau Buaya, the Lingga, and the Flying Fish, all found in Southeast Asian waters, shared by one of the region’s foremost marine archaeologists, Dr. Michael Flecker. All three ships were transporting Chinese ceramics and ironware to Southeast Asian markets when they sank.
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Venue:
Imagination Room, Level 5
National Library Building
100 Victoria Street
Singapore 188064
7:00pm Thursday, 24 January 2019
William Young Willetts: Sinologist, Ceramics Expert & Curator of the NUS Art Museum 1963-1973
The founder of the Southeast Asian Ceramic Society arrived in Singapore, hired by NUS to be the NUS Art Museum’s curator 1963-1973. Author of a well-received book on Chinese art, he was a sinologist and ceramics expert, who was instrumental in awakening the world to Southeast Asian ceramics. Professor Kwa Chong Guan was one of his early students and shared his history and stories with SEACS members in a memorable talk.
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Venue:
Briefing Room, Level 1
National Library Building
100 Victoria Street
Singapore 188064
17-20 January 2019
SEACS Members’ Study Tour to Thailand
SEACS members travelled to Thailand to attend a special bencharong exhibition and conference curated by SEACS Life Member Dawn Rooney; to visit the outstanding Southeast Asian Ceramics Museum on the campus of Bangkok University, Pathum Thani; and to tour several historical museums in the Thai ancient capital city of Ayutthaya. It was a busy long week-end with many highlights, including the opportunity for the early-risers in the group to pick up shards of Chinese ceramics that can still be found along the banks of the Ayutthaya River. See the original itinerary here. Read the final trip report here.
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Bangkok & Ayutthaya, Thailand
2018
4 pm, Sunday, 16 December 2018
Building the Freer|Sackler Southeast Asian Ceramic Collection with Louise Allison Cort
SEACS members are invited to a talk on Freer|Sackler Museum’s Southeast Asian ceramic collection, a superb study collection of study ceramics. Accessible online.
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Venue:
To be confirmed
11 am-5pm, Saturday, 24 November 2018
SEACS Members’ Ceramic Sale
SEACS members do a little housekeeping of their collections. Members and their friends are invited to this one-day sale of ceramics ‘moving on’ to new homes.
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Venue:
To be confirmed
3pm, Saturday, 3 November 2018
Visit to a Private Collection of Shiwan Ceramics
SEACS members were invited to visit a member’s home to view his superb private collection of Shiwan ceramic pieces. Visitors gained first-hand knowledge of these special ceramics and the stories behind them and enjoyed sharing collecting stories over a cup of tea at this special SEACS members-only event.
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Venue:
Venue address to be confirmed
4pm, Sunday, 7 October 2018
Letting their Pottery Talk: Insights on the Philistines and their Culture as seen through their Ceramic Remains
Visiting Professor Aren M. Maeir talked about his work as an archaeologist exploring ancient Philistine sites in Israel.
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Venue:
Briefing Room, Level 1
National Library Building
100 Victoria Street
Singapore 188064
4pm, Saturday, 15 September 2018
Visit to the Hall of the Phoenix and Peony
SEACS members were the special recipients of a very unique invitation to visit a private home that had been turned into a private museum featuring a wide variety of outstanding Peranakan artefacts ranging from furniture to sculpture and other art works and of course, ceramics.
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Venue:
Venue address to be confirmed
7 pm, Monday, 30 July 2018
Ivan Polunin: A Daughter’s Memories
Ivan Polunin’s daughter, now an artist and collector in her own right, shared stories about her father, the late Dr. Ivan Polunin–author, scientist, medical doctor, photographer, film maker, and collector–and his various interests. Members will always remember the generosity with which he shared his collections. Vintage films were also shown.
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Venue:
Venue address to be confirmed
7 pm, Thursday, 21 June 2018
Learn from the Experts: Vietnamese Ceramics
An opportunity for SEACS members to bring Vietnamese ceramics from their collections to share with other members and to discuss one of our member-specialists for help on the identification and dating. SEACS holds several information-sharing sessions a year, which are always very popular with its members. Participation was usually limited when sharing in person but some online sharing is also scheduled.
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Venue:
Venue address to be confirmed
3pm, Sunday, 20 May 2018
A Pre-Lecture Talk followed by a Guided Tour of the Angkor Exhibition at the ACM
An opportunity for SEACS members to join a talk and guided tour of the new Angkor Wat exhibition at Singapore’s Asian Civilisations Museum. The guided tour was led by a SEACS member who was also a docent at the museum.
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Venue:
Asian Civilisations Museum
1 Empress Place
Singapore
7pm, Monday, 16 April 2018
The Ceramic Collection of the National Museum of Indonesia
SEACS members enjoyed a virtual introduction to the collection of the National Museum of Indonesia, due to be closed in the near future, by SEACS member Tara Manser, who while living in Jakarta, together with a colleague, photographed and recorded all the pieces on exhibition at the time. A unique experience to view the collection built by one of the museum’s early contributors, collector d’Orsay.
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Venue:
Imagination Room, Level 5
National Library Building
100 Victoria Street
Singapore 188064
7pm, Wednesday, 7 March 2018
William Willetts Annual Lecture: “The Chinese Trade Network of the Southeast Asia Archipelago” by Professors Leonard Andaya and Barbara Watson Andaya
The Southeast Asian Ceramic Society’s annual William Willetts Lecture: The Chinese Trade Network of the Southeast Asia Archipelago. The first part of this presentation discussed ceramics as one of the key items in the Chinese trade networks of early modern Southeast Asia, giving particular attention to the little known region of eastern Indonesia. In considering Southeast Asia more generally, the second half focused on the diverse uses of ceramics, both imported and locally produced. It gave specific attention to the incorporation of ceramics into the daily lives of communities and individuals in very different contexts.
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Venue:
Briefing Room, Level a
National Library Building
100 Victoria Street
Singapore 188064
7pm, Monday, 22 February 2018
Learn from the Experts: Red Ceramics
SEACS members gathered to share their ‘red ceramics’, discovering the many shapes and kilns from which they had emerged and the new ‘homes’ they had found through trade and collection. This session was led by a SEACS member-expert together with other specialist collectors to help newcomers appreciate, identify, and understand ceramics featuring the colour red, whether as a metallic oxide or an underglaze, overglaze or enamel.
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Venue:
To be announced.
2017
3-5pm, Sunday, 10 December 2017
SEACS Year-End Festive Open House
SEACS members gathered for their traditional seasonal get-together with fellow members.
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Venue:
To be announced.
3pm, Monday, 20 November 2017
Countess Wilhelmina von Hallwyl and her Chinese Treasures
SEACS members were invited to a talk on the Swedish Countess Wilhelmina von Hallwyl and her Chinese Treasures by ceramics scholar Rose Kerr, who had newly catalogued the collection. The event was hosted by the Swedish Embassy and a reception followed.
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Venue:
To be announced.
7pm, Monday, 23 October 2017
Dehua (blanc-de-Chine) Ceramics
Who better to talk on the wonderful ACM collection of Dehua (德化) ceramics left to the museum as a bequest from collectors Frank & Pamela Hickley than the former Director of the ACM who helped them build their collection?
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Venue:
Visitors’ Briefing Room, Level 1
National Library Building
100 Victoria Street
Singapore 188064
5pm, Saturday, 16 September 2017
Treasure Troves of the Past: Tomb and Grave Goods from Ancient China
SEACS members were invited to a talk on ceramic tomb and grave goods from ancient China by SEACS Council member Dr. Vidya Schalk.
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Venue:
Visitors’ Briefing Room, Level 1
National Library Building
100 Victoria Street
Singapore 188064
12:30pm, Wednesday, 30 August 2017
An Introduction to Tea and Ancient Tea Culture
SEACS members were invited to a talk on tea, teapots and tea culture by SEACS Council member and collector Allison Liu.
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Venue:
SMU Administration Building
Function Room 4.1, Level 4
81 Victoria Street
Singapore 188064
3pm, Saturday, 24 June 2017
Earth, Fire and Soul: The Spirit of Joseon Korea Through the Art of Clay
The Asian Civilisation Museum’s Curator of Chinese Art, Kan Shuyi, introduced the basic history and ideals of Korean ceramics before leading SEACS members on a private tour of the special ACM exhibition.
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Venue:
Asian Civilisations Museum
1 Empress Place
Singapore 179555
6 am, Sunday, 11 June 2017
A Visit to the Home and Collection of Marine Archaeologist Sten Sjóstrand
The Southeast Asian Ceramic Society arranged a special day visit to Kuala Lumpur to the home of Sten Sjøstrand to see ceramic artefacts from the ten different shipwrecks discovered and excavated by him. We left pre-dawn in a 2-car caravan and returned home long after sunset, laden with treasures and hours of hands-on experience. The story of his discovery and salvaging of the Wanli Shipwreck was published by Sten; now out-of-print, but you can read about it here.
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Venue:
Depart from Singapore; visit to Kuala Lumpur
7pm, Tuesday, 16 May 2017
Handling Session: Learning from the Experts–Celadon and Blue & White Ceramics
Members brought in examples of celadon and blue & white ceramics from their collections before sitting down to learn more about how to differentiate between the different kiln sites’ productions, and dating, from our in-house experts and specialist collectors.
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Venue:
To be announced
7:30pm, Wednesday, 5 April 2017
The William Willetts Annual Lecture: How Full is Our Bowl? with Professor John N. Miksic
The Southeast Asian Ceramic Society’s annual William Willetts Annual Lecture “How Full is our Bowl? – the status of research on ceramics in Southeast Asian archaeology” was given by Professor John N. Miksic from the Southeast Asian Studies Department, National University of Singapore. The conclusion: great progress but many more discoveries await us.
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Venue:
Possibility Room, Level 5
National Library Building
100 Victoria Street
Singapore 188064
3pm, Saturday, 25 March 2017
A Curatorial Tour of Myanmar Celadon Ceramics
SEACS members were invited to a curator-led tour of ceramics produced by Myanmar potters in the 15th century and the permanent ceramic collection at NUS Museum.
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Venue:
NUS Museum
50 Kent Ridge Crescent
Singapore 119279
7-8:30pm, Wednesday, 15 February 2017
Vietnamese Ceramics from the Yi Lu Collection – Book Launch
SEACS members were invited to a book launch and introductory talk highlighting artefacts from the Yi Lu Collection of Vietnamese ceramics.
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Venue:
Possibility Room,
National Library Building,
100 Victoria Street
Singapore 188064
7-8:30pm, Wednesday, 8 February 2017
From The Ashes – Reviving Myanmar Celadon Ceramics
A talk by Dr. Myo Thant Tan, President of the Myanmar Ceramic Society.
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Venue:
NUS Museum
50 Kent Ridge Crescent
Singapore 119279
7-8:30pm, Friday, 13 January 2017
“The Mon Cities and Myanmar Cultural Heritage” with Dr. Elizabeth Moore
A talk by Dr. Elizabeth Moore, a well-respected authority on Myanmar’s history and ceramic traditions.
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Venue:
Asian Civilisations Museum
Ngee Ann Auditorium
Singapore 179555
7-8:30pm, Thursday, 12 January 2017
Year of the Rooster: Its Symbolism in Chinese Art
A talk by SEACS Councillor Patricia Bjaaland Welch, author of Chinese Art: A Guide to Motifs and Visual Imagery, with special attention paid to the motifs of roosters, hens & chickens as they appear on Chinese ceramics.
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Venue:
The Siam Society
131 Asoke Road, Sukhumvit 21
Bangkok, Thailand
2016
3-6pm, Saturday, 11 December 2016
SEACS Members’ Festive Year-End Get-Together
Cakes, tea sandwiches, perhaps a drop or two of wine, and lively conversations are always present when SEACS members get together. Our year-end party in 2016 followed tradition.
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Venue:
To be confirmed.
7pm, Wednesday, 19 October 2016
How Shards Talk and What they can Tell Us
Ever wonder why archaeologists love a bucket full of broken pot shards? There’s arguably more research and cultural data available from an assemblage of fragmented shards than a prized set of complete pots. This talk by Dr. D. Kyle Latinis, a Visiting Fellow at the Nalanda-Sriwijaya Centre, ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, Singapore, and Director of the annual NSC Archaeological Field School, explains how archaeologists maximize data collection from shards.
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Venue:
National Library
Visitor Briefing Room
100 Victoria Street
Singapore 188064
2pm, Saturday, 24 September 2016
Guided Tour of Contemporary Ceramicist Iskandar Jalil’s Exhibition
SEACS members were invited to a special docent-led tour of Singapore artist Iskandar Jalil’s new exhibition at Singapore’s National Gallery. Kembara Tanah Liat (“Clay Travels”) had opened earlier the same month.
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Venue:
National Gallery
1 St. Andrews Road
Singapore 178957
7pm, Friday, 26 August 2016
A Curator-led Tour of the ACM’s new Chinese Ceramics Gallery
SEACS members were invited to a special curator-led tour of the newly opened Chinese Ceramics Gallery in the Asian Civilisation Museum (ACM).
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Venue:
Asian Civilisations Museum
1 Empress Place
Singapore 179555
2pm, Saturday, 9 July 2016
The Secrets of Ceramics Unveiled
SEACS members we’re invited to join SEACS council member Dr. Vidya Schalk as she took her Singapore audience on a journey demystifying the world of clays, glazes, firing conditions, and all things that make porcelain so alluring.
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Venue:
Imagine@LibraryOrchard
Orchard Road
Singapore
7pm, Friday, 27 May 2016
A Walk through the Peranakan Museum with Dr. Kenson Kwok
SEACS members enjoyed an informative, casual tour of the vast collections highlighted in the Peranakan Museum, given by Dr. Kenson Kwok, a long-term SEACS member and former president (1990-1993), and Founding Director of the Asian Civilisations Museum.
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Venue:
The Peranakan Museum
29 Armenian Street
Singapore
7pm, Thursday, 28 April 2016
Blue & White Chinese Ceramics at Auction: The Enduring Popularity and Record Prices
SEACS members enjoyed an informative talk by an experienced member of the professional auction community (SEACS Council member Susie Quek) who shared her research findings of the record-reaching prices at recent auctions of B&W Chinese ceramics.
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Venue:
National Library
Visitors Briefing Room, Level 1
100 Victoria Street
Singapore 188064
7pm, Wednesday, 24 February 2016
A Collector’s Collections
SEACS members were invited to a private home to view a number of family special collections including ceramic and bamboo brush pots.
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Venue:
To be advised.
2015
7pm, Friday, November 2015
A Visit to the new Tang Shipwreck Cargo Exhibition at the ACM
SEACS members attended the opening of the Belitung Wreck exhibition at the Asian Civilisations Museum, the shipwreck that has been dated to the Tang Dynasty, and which has amazed the collecting world with its cargo of Changsha, Xing & Ding wares, Yue celadon, Gongxian….
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Venue:
Asian Civilisations Museum
1 Empress Place
Singapore 179555
3pm, Saturday, 31 October 2015
A Ceramic Shards Handling Session at the NUS Museum
The best way to develop one’s ceramic expertise is to handle as many pieces of ceramics as possible, and there is no better way to learn than to be led by an expert. Dr. John N. Miksic shared his shards and expertise with SEACS members in this fascinating and valuable workshop at the NUS Museum.
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Venue: Assemble at Lee Kong Chian Gallery (car park level)
NUS Museum
50 Kent Ridge Crescent
Singapore
7pm, Friday, 25 September 2015
Ceramics of the Sea: Four Shipwrecked Cargoes
In this lecture, Colin Sheaf, Chairman of Bonham’s Asia, explored the discoveries of four Chinese porcelain cargoes that sank in the South China Sea. Chinese ceramics had long been manufactured for export to foreign markets. Coveted as luxury goods, the Chinese ceramic export trade saw increased commerce between European nations and Islamic sultans during the sixteenth century. The discovery of sunken cargoes, provide unique insight into the ceramic production in and around Jingdezhen during this time. Changes in technology, ceramic production and design in China were discussed.
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Venue:
Visitor’ Briefing Room, Level 1
National Library
100 Victoria Street
Singapore 188064
3pm, Saturday, 22 August 2015
A Visit to the newly renovated NUS Museum’s Sherd and Ceramics Collection
A visit to the new Ceramic Exhibition at the National University Singapore (NUS) Museum, which opened in January 2015. The collection features a display of ceramic production from Tang to Qing – featuring all five Song kilns and early Tang ware not seen in shipwreck finds. On the first level, there is an interesting collection of shards, especially those of Yuan blue and white. Such a collection of Yuan sherds is seldom seen even in China.
Venue:
NUS Museum
50 Kent Ridge Crescent
Singapore
7pm, Thursday, 23 July 2015
History of Pre-Colonial 11th Century Burma to Modern State of Myanmar with Professor Goh
Dr. Goh’s talk is based on her book published in January 2015: The Wheel-turner and His House: Kingship in a Buddhist Ecueme.
Venue:
To be confirmed
3pm, Saturday, 27 June 2015
An Appreciation of the Art of Chen Wen Hsi with Alison Liu
A look at one of Singapore’s favourite artists. Topics covered included the history and development of Chen Wen Hsi’s skills and styles from early period to late Analysis of his popular subjects such as gibbons, herons and squirrels, including a market analysis of why prices for his art had recently surged.
Venue:
To be confirmed
10:30am, Tuesday, 17 March 2015
A Special Walk Through the Archaeology Gallery Singapura: 700 Years with Professor John N. Miksic
A look at one of Singapore’s favourite artists. Topics covered included the history and development of Chen Wen Hsi’s skills and styles from early period to late Analysis of his popular subjects such as gibbons, herons and squirrels, including a market analysis of why prices for his art had recently surged.
Venue:
National Museum of Singapore Basement
National Museum of Singapore
Stamford Rd, Singapore
7-8pm, Friday, 27 February 2015
A Tour of the “Land of Gold and Spices: Early Maps of Singapore and SE Asia”
This exhibition, which ran from February through July 16 2015, featured more than 140 maps including many from its own collection of more than 900 printed maps of Singapore and Southeast Asia, as well as selections on loan from the National Archives of Singapore and such institutions as the British Library and the University of Utrecht (The Netherlands). A special tour of this beautiful and very special exhibition was led for SEACS members by Tan Huism (Head, Exhibitions & Curation).
Venue:
Singapore National Library, Level 10
100 Victoria Streeft, Singapore
2014
10:15-4:00pm, 16 October 2014
Qing Porcelain in China and the World
A Study Day sponsored by SOAS. SEACS members warmly invited to attend.
Venue:
Brunei Gallery, SOAS
London, U.K.
3pm, Saturday, 4 October 2014
China Mania: The Global Passion for Porcelain (800-1900 CE)
A special guided tour for SEACS members led by docent members of SEACS. This was a special exhibition arranged by the Asian Civilisations Museum, Singapore–remembered as one of the best exhibitions ACM ever sponsored as it featured a fascinating and diverse array of export ceramics intended for markets ranging from Europe to Japan.
Venue:
Special Exhibitions Gallery, Level 2
Asian Civilisations Museum
Singapore
3pm, Saturday, 6 September 2014
Contemporary Chinese Literati
A talk on modern Chinese painting, porcelain, classical furniture and the objects that scholars cherish. As an active student of the auction market, Council member Allison Liu shared her observations and insights into what is being collected today, and what contemporary literati have around them while contemplating their lives.
Venue:
To be confirmed.
5-10 August 2014
A SEACS Study Trip to the Majapahit Empire with Professor John N. Miksic
A group of intrepid SEACS members spent five wondrous days touring the ancient sites of the Majapahit Empire with one of the foremost historians of the period. The trip included a pre-trip briefing held on Sunday evening, 20 July.
Venue:
Indonesia
7pm, Monday, 23 June 2014
From Majapahit to Bali: Genealogies of Indonesian Culture
This talk examined the nature and legacy of Majapahit, one of Southeast Asia’s greatest kingdoms, existing between 1293-1527. Beginning with some of the latest developments in the archaeology of Majapahit, Professor Vickers looked at the different ways that Majapahit remained important to Southeast Asian culture, particularly through the spread of the Panji stories (known as Inao in Thailand). He also discussed the legacy of Majapahit in Bali, and the ways that Balinese culture in turn helps us to understand Majapahit.
Venue:
Ngee Ann Auditorium
Asian Civilisations Museum
1 Empress Place
Singapore
More here….
7pm, Monday, 12 May 2014
Opening the Microscopic World of Porcelain: Trace Model Research and Authentication of Yuan Underglaze Blue
This lecture by Matthew Bunney looked into the application of microscopic research within Chinese ceramics. Using 500x digital magnification, the research team at Guangzhou Oriental Museum has put forth a new scientific field of research that focuses on the quantitative change and passage of time principles that govern the weathering of ancient ceramics.
Venue:
Visitor’s Briefing Room, Level 1
Singapore National Library
100 Victoria Road
Singapore
More here….
7pm, Monday, 14 April 2014
Show, Ask & Discover
An open evening for members to bring in artefacts from their ceramic collections for mutual handling and discussion.
Venue:
To be confirmed.
2:30pm, Sunday, 6 April 2014
SEACS 45th AGM and annual William Willetts Lecture 2014
Dr. Kenson Kwok spoke on Peranakan material culture and questioned if it is really as unique as we think it is….
Venue:
The Peranakan Museum
Lecture Room behind the reception hall
39 Armenian Street
Singapore
2013
7pm, 19 December 2013
Potsherds, Texts and Singapore’s Role in Southeast Asian Maritime Culture
Professor John N. Miksic introduces Singapore & The Silk Road of the Sea, sharing his findings of many years of research into Singapore’s history … and rewrites it, forever changing what we now know of Singapore’s history pre-Raffles.
Venue:
The Imagination Room
Singapore National Library
100 Victoria Street
Singapore
7pm, Monday, 11 November 2013
Show, Ask & Discover: The Mystery of Changsha Ware
Members share their knowledge and stories as we examine Changsha ware.
Venue:
To be confirmed.
7pm, Friday, 11 October 2013
A Guided Tour of ACM’s new special exhibition: “Devotion & Desire: Cross-Cultural Art in Asia”
Led by ACM curator Clement Onn.
Venue:
Asian Civilisations Museum
1 Empress Place
Singapore
7pm, Tuesday, 30 July 2013
Ports, Shipwrecks & Ceramics: A Maritime History of the Ancient Champa Kingdom
Our speaker, Do Truong Giang (Alex), provided an overview of the economic activities that once took place in (and beyond) the ancient territory of the Champa kingdom. He covered three major topics, all interrelated: the evidence of ancient mercantile ports, the recent shipwrecks found off the coast of Champa, and both Champa and foreign trade ceramics discovered in central Vietnam.
Venue:
To be confirmed.
7pm, Tuesday, 25 June 2013
Show, Ask & Discover: Overglaze Ceramics
SEACS members gathered to share, show and discuss examples of overglaze ceramics from their collections.
Venue:
To be confirmed.
7pm, Thursday, 23 May 2013
Ten Things to Know about Chinese Ceramics: A Beginner’s Primer
An introductory talk by SEACS Councillor Ingrid Hanson covering clay, glazes, kilns, and how to collect ceramics tips.
Venue:
To be confirmed.
7pm, 12 April 2013
“Enlightened Ways: The Many Streams of Buddhist Art in Thailand”
Curator Heidi Tan leads SEACS members through the Asian Civilisation Museum’s latest exhibition.
Venue:
Asian Civilisations Museum
1 Empress Place
Singapore
9:30am, Saturday, 2 March 2013
Symposium: Nanyang Technological University Dragon Kilns Symposium & Exhibition
Nanyang Technological University’s University Scholars Program (NTU / USP) in collaboration with the NTU Museum presented a symposium and two exhibitions on the topic of the Dragon Kilns. These events were designed to serve as an exposure to the significance of this aspect of Singaporean history with particular focus on NTU’s neighbours, the Thow Kwang Clay Artists and the Jalan Bahar Clay Studios: Singapore’s last two remaining Dragon Kilns. SEACS members were welcome to join.
Venue:
NTU
Singapore
7pm, Friday, 15 February 2013
Is it Real?
Fortunately, in our present day and age, we don’t always have to guess. New scientific techniques give an objective answer. These methods were applied to Chinese export Order of Cincinnati pieces and their secrets were revealed. Shirley M. Mueller’s talk revealed the findings and shared visual clues that can be used by collectors alongside precise technical findings
Venue:
To be confirmed
7pm, Thursday, 17 January 2013
The Sir Percival David Foundation Collection
Two SEACS councillors introduced members to one of the finest collections of ceramics now housed in a special gallery in the British Museum, showing highlights of the collection.
Venue:
To be confirmed
2012
7pm, Thursday, 6 December 2012
Ceramics in Myanmar: Unexplored Territory
Professor John N. Miksic and Professor Goh Geok Yian introduced the basics of Myanmarese ceramics but there remains much research to be done. To right: a Twante ceramic.
Venue:
To be confirmed
7pm, Wednesday, 7 November 2012
Examining Kraak Porcelain
Maura Rinaldi, author of Kraak Porcelain, introduced the various shapes, forms, decorations and periods of this famous export ceramic.
Venue:
To be confirmed
7pm, Tuesday, 16 October 2012
Chinoiserie: A Vision of the Far East from Europe, 13th-14th century
This talk by long-time collector Margaret White, traced the desire for chinoiserie through several revivals in succeeding centuries with examples from various countries. Throughout, ceramics remained in popular demand, both as export products and as wares being imitated and adapted by other countries. A summary of her talk is available by following the below ‘more’ link.
Venue:
To be confirmed
7pm, Thursday, 27 September 2012
A Blaze of Colour: The Emergence of Overglaze Enamels on Porcelain in the 14th and 15th Centuries with Rosemary Scott
Overglaze enamels provide one of those interesting instances when a sophisticated technique appears to have been developed on popular stoneware and then transferred to fine porcelain. When this happened in the latter part of the Yuan dynasty, the palette of Chinese porcelain was changed forever.
Venue:
To be confirmed
7pm, 24 August 2012
Show, Ask & Discover: A Members’ Pot Clinic
Members met to share pieces from their collection and their expertise.
Venue:
To be confirmed
7pm, Saturday, 9 June 2012
Canton Export Wares
A special lecture on Canton Export Wares by Prof. Feng Su Ge, Director of the Provincial Guangzhou Museum. The talk was given in Mandarin, with an English translation provided by Council Member Lim Yah Chiew. Click here to view the translation.
Venue:
To be confirmed
3pm, Sunday, 20 May 2012
Visit to Dorian Ball’s Diana Cargo
SEACS members were warmly welcomed by Dorian and Deidre Ball at their black and white colonial home to see Dorian’s collection and hear about his extensive salvaging experience in the region.
Venue:
To be confirmed
3pm, 9 May 2012
Guerilla Archaeologists and the Singapore Story
The talk started off with Professor John N. Miksic elucidating the reason for the talk’s curious title, alluding to aspects of archaeology, which share resonance with ‘guerrilla warfare’. A recap of this historic talk and the video may be seen here.
Venue:
To be confirmed
7-8:30pm, Friday, 17 February 2012
Pot-Making in Mainland Southeast Asia
Visiting Scholar Dr. Leedom Lefferts and Louise A. Cort of the Smithsonian Institute in a presentation that became core to the Smithsonian’s excellent introduction to the subject. The talk was repeated and filmed at NUS and the videos may be seen here. Visit the Smithsonian Institute’s website here.
Venue:
Ngee Ann Auditorium
Asian Civilisations Museum
1 Empress Place
Singapore 179555
7pm, Tuesday, 6 March 2012
Longquan Celadon: Site visits and a museum opening
Several SEACS members attended the annual conference of the China Antique Ceramics Research Society based in the Beijing National Palace Museum in November 2011. During the conference, the Longquan Museum officially opened. Member Ingrid Hanson shares the various sites they visited and conference highlights.
Venue:
Ngee Ann Auditorium
Asian Civilisations Museum
1 Empress Place
Singapore 179555
2011
7pm, Tuesday, 1 December 2011
Launch of SEACS’ e-museum (the forerunner of this site)
SEACS launched its e-museum in a grand event hosted by the National Library in their elegant venue ‘The Pod’–the society’s first step towards archiving and sharing the research and collections of its members and ceramic scholars to the general public. A tremendous amount of work went into developing the early contents of the site led by then-President Alvin Chia. Details of the opening event can be read here
7pm, Tuesday, 1 November 2011
Florentine Traders in Asia and the Medici Porcelain Collection
Maura Rinaldi, a linguist and specialist of Kraak ceramics, regaled SEACS members with her story of the Medici family and how they built their collection.
Venue:
To be confirmed.
16-23 October 2011
SEACS Study Tour to Taiwan & Hong Kong
Special access to a number of museums and private collections formed the itinerary of this very special trip to Taiwan and Hong Kong for SEACS members.
17 September – 29 October 2011
A Raku Workshop with Delia Prvacki
An 8-session raku workshop for SEACS members and NUS students was arranged by Delia Prvacki, oe of Singapore’s foremost ceramic artists. The opportunity to work with clay from start to end with a raku firing was a unique opportunity.
Venue: Hong Kong, Taipei
7:30pm, Thursday, 8 September 2011
Liu Kang and his Art
An intimate look at Liu Kang, Shanghai, Love, Loss, and the Founding of the Nanyang Style by Gretchen Liu.
Venue: to be confirmed
7:30pm, Thursday, 18 August 2011
Yuan Ceramics: Show, Tell, Ask & Discover Study Session for SEACS Members
An opportunity to share one’s collection and expertise with the emphasis on Yuan Dynasty ceramics.
Venue: to be confirmed
7pm, Thursday, 5 May 2011
Old Javanese Gold
Gold jewellery is usually assumed to be a decorative art rather than a source of historical information. In Java, an unusually large quantity of ancient gold has been recovered. Professor John Miksic informed members that some comes from prehistoric burials, but the largest quantity comes from hoards hidden during the 8th and 9th centuries in the Borobudur area.
Venue: to be confirmed
7pm, Thursday, 5 May 2011
Outing to see the Tang Treasures
SEACS members visited the newly revealed Tang Treasures from the Belitung wreck on display at the ArtScience Museum, Marina Bay Sands.
Venue: to be confirmed
Song and Yuan Qingbai and their Influence on Vietnamese White Wares
A sharing session for members.
Venue: to be confirmed
2010
7pm, 11 August 2010
Discover the Ceramic Secrets of Famensi
A talk by SEACS Member Patricia Bjaaland Welch
Famen Temple (法门寺), located 120 km west of Xi’an, gained international fame in 1981 when the pagoda collapsed to reveal a Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) underground crypt that contained the largest and most complete underground religious vault ever found in China. The crypt also disclosed several pieces of the famous long-thought lost “secret porcelain” known as mise (秘色), revealing its famous glaze. Join us as member Patricia Bjaaland Welch, who recently visited Famensi, and guided the “Treasures of Famensi” when they were in Singapore on display at the Asian Civilisations Museum, shares with us the results of recent research and her April visit to the site. To download the flyer, click here.
Venue: to be confirmed
7pm, 18 May 2010
Five Dynasty Treasures: Chinese Ceramics found in the Indonesian Cirebon Shipwreck
A talk by SEACS Member Lim Yah Chiew
Venue: to be confirmed
6-14 April 2010
Study Tour: Fujian & Jiangxi, China
An excellently organized study tour to a large number of sites in Fujian and Jiangxi Provinces in China was led by Chen Jiazi, Curator of the National University of Singapore, and coordinated by SEACS Council Member Marjorie Chu. A report from this special SEACS study tour written by SEACS member and participant Linda McLaren can be found here.
10 March 2010
Chinese Export Ceramics for the Southeast Asian Market in the Victoria & Albert Museum with Rose Kerr
Download a pdf summary of her talk here.
14 November 2009 – 25 July 2010
Guided Tours for the “New Light on Old Pottery” Exhibition at NUS
Tours of this excellent exhibition, held in conjunction with the publication of SEACS’ 10th anniversary volume, Southeast Asian Ceramics: New Light on Old Pottery, edited by SEACS member and Professor John N. Miksic, were arranged on an appointment basis and led by SEACS member Tan Shook Fong and her talented docent trainees.
2009
Wednesday, 23 September, 2009
A SEACS Visit to the Southeast Asian Ceramics Museum (Bangkok)
SEACS arranged a morning visit to this excellent Bangkok-based ceramic museum; SEACS members travelled on their own to and from Bangkok, making the visit a special event in an otherwise private visit to Thailand.
7 pm, Tuesday, 30 June, 2009
Book Launch: New Light on Old Pottery
Professor John N. Miksic reviewed the advances made in the past 40 years of research and discoveries in the field of Southeast Asian ceramics.
Venue:
Celadon Room
Concourse Level, NUS Museum
University Cultural Centre Annex
50 Kent Ridge Crescent
National University of Singapore
Singapore 119279
7:30 pm, 27 March, 2009
William Willetts Lecture: Dating Evidence for 14th-19th Century Chinese Ceramic Finds in Singapore
7 pm, Thursday, 19 February, 2009
Many Words for Tea and One Very Special Bowl for Tea
One of our earliest introductions to the treasures of the Belitung shipwreck in a talk given SEACS members by Victor Mair, focusing on the large collection of Changsha bowls found on the wrecksite.
Venue:
The Ixora Room
The Peranakan Museum
39 Armenian Street
Singapore
Peter Wee hosted members of the Society at his beautiful home and paired examples from his textile and ceramic collections to propose that the one influenced the other more than we might have expected!
Venue:
To be confirmed
2008
7pm, 6 August 2008
The Symbolism of Chinese Birds found on Ceramics, Textiles and other Decorative Art
Traditional Chinese thought, which believed all things should conform to groups of five, categorized animals into five classes: animals with feathers, animals with hair, animals with shells, animals with scales, and naked animals (which included man). In this presentation, Patricia Bjaaland Welch introduced us to the fascinating world of the first category: animals with feathers, as represented in Chinese art.
Venue:
The Ixora Room
The Peranakan Museum
39 Armenian Street
Singapore
7pm, Thursday, 10 July 2008
Jizhou and Jingdezhen during the Song-Yuan-Ming period as seen by a local historian
In this talk, Dr. Anne Gerritsen, a Senior Research Fellow at ARI, compared two sites of ceramics manufacture: Jizhou and Jingdezhen. Both were located in Jiangxi and both hosted centers of ceramic production, but differences abounded too. Dr. Gerritsen explored both sites and explained how and why they developed so differently.
Venue:
The Ixora Room
The Peranakan Museum
39 Armenian Street
Singapore
7:30pm, Wednesday, 7 May 2008
Strange Discoveries: Mysterious Artefacts in Singapore
Who is buried in Sultan Iskandar’s tomb? What did John Crawfurd see on the Forbidden Hill? What was this bowl with Chinese characters written on it for? Who made these beautiful pieces of glass? Professor John Miksic tells us that some discoveries are still puzzling archaeologists, more than 20 years after they were first brought to light. We heard all this and more in this 2008 annual William Willetts Lecture.
Venue:
The Ixora Room
The Peranakan Museum
39 Armenian Street
Singapore
7:30pm, Wednesday, 2 April 2008
The Cargo of the East Indiaman Götheborg Shipwreck
The East Indiaman Götheborg was a large wooden sailing ship that sank off Göthenburg, Sweden, on 12 September 1745 while approaching its home harbour after returning from her third voyage to Canton, China. All 141 crew and passengers survived, but the ship was lost. Borje Forssell was Chairman of the Oriental Ceramic Society of Sweden at the time of this talk, and had been diving for wrecks in Southeast Asia for more than 20 years.
Venue:
The Discovery Room
Asian Civilisations Museum
1 Empress Place
Singapore
Tuesday, 4 March 2008
Chinese Snuff Bottles: A Viewing and a Talk
Talk by Jen Lyn Low, specialist in Chinese Snuff Bottles, London
An Invitation to Southeast Asian Ceramic Society members, hosted by Christie’s
Cocktails and canapés at 6.30pm
Lecture at 7.30pm by Jen Lyn Low
Christie’s Singapore, 501 Orchard Road, #19-03 Wheelock Place, Singapore
Limited seats only (first 20 members to sign up)
7pm, 29 January 2008
Yuan Blue & White of the Red Sea with Regina Krahl
This talk introduced an important group of fragments of early high quality blue-and-white porcelain, including dishes measuring 50cm in diameter, that had been discovered in 2004 in the Red Sea. It put the finds into perspective regarding similar material found throughout the world and explored how this material added to our knowledge of Yuan blue-and-white and its dating. The talk was a follow-up from an earlier paper presented at the Mongol-Yuan Culture Foundation symposium at Peking University in August 2004.
Venue:
Ngee Ann Auditorium
Asian Civilisations Museum
1 Empress Place
Singapore
