Dr. SAKAI Takashi shared his research into the glazed ceramic shards found in the Segaran district of the Trowulan archaeological site, East Java, Indonesia as well as a number of other Southeast Asian sites. Trowulan was the former capital (1293-c. 1527) of the Majapahit Kingdom, the largest and last of the Hindu Java kingdoms.
Jaap Otte, a native of the Netherlands, presented findings of his ongoing study of Japanese ceramics exported to Southeast Asia, primarily from Indonesia, from the 19th to the first half of the 20th century, which included architecturally-used ceramics, excavated material and contemporary written sources. His presentation included the following wares: stoneware “bartmann” jugs; water storage jars from Hizen(?); Nagasaki ware bottles; Arita porcelain; Awaji ware; and industrial earthenware and porcelain.
SEACS Councillor and long-time collector Tim Clark covered the origin and development of the teapot in China. Once the dedicated function of this pouring vessel was established, the potters of Yixing unleashed their creativity in expressing its myriad forms. This led to a beautiful marriage of form and function which inspired potters in England to make their own impact on this art form. Several beautiful examples were showcased in this fascinating talk on one of the most popular forms collectors delight in.
Pim Bisalputra and Jeffery Sng explained how a type of seventeenth-century CE Chinese export ware to Southeast Asia casts new light on external influences in Siamese court culture. The motifs and patterns in some examples mark a departure from earlier wares embodying strong Chinese characteristics. The appearance of atypical patterns, such as Buddhist symbols and motifs, together with Islamic and Indo-Persian stylistic influence is puzzling. This talk argued that such Chinese export ware represents early made-to-order porcelain by the Buddhist Siamese court of Ayutthaya, and may help collectors who stumble upon such pieces in museums or collections, understand their origins.
SEACS members and their guests attended this long-awaited talk by ceramics expert Peter Lam on 'Kitchen Ch'ing porcelain made in Hong Kong'. Professor Lam introduced the 'Kitchen Ch'ing' blue and white kiln site in Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong focusing on its dating, type-forms and context comparing it to similar items found from SEA shipwrecks and sites that were familiar to many SEACS members, and providing references for newcomers to the topic of 'Kitchen Ch'ing' ceramics.
The Maritime history of 16th century Philippines as explored through its shipwrecks and the cargoes they carried came alive in this SEACS presentation by Senior Museum Researcher Bobby C. Orillaneda.
Dr. Teresa Canepa introduced the most important collection of seventeenth-century Chinese porcelain in the world, assembled by the distinguished British diplomat Sir Michael Butler (1927–2013). Butler’s lavish collection covers most types of porcelain produced at Jingdezhen, in Jiangxi Province, during the seventeenth century known as the ‘Transitional Period’ between the ceasing of production of the Imperial kilns in 1608 to the reinstatement of Imperial supervisors in 1683.
Learn how some 65,000 ceramics in Singapore's National Collection are managed and cared for at the HCC. Join us online to gain insight on the journey that newly acquired ceramics go through when they enter the National Collection – from accessioning, to storage, to being conserved and prepared for display.
Wondering why there's no usual August event, it's because we've been busy preparing for our annual 'Members Ceramic Sale'!
We were so sorry to disappoint our many members who didn't make the previous tour of the Ft.Canning Ceramic Exhibition so beautifully curated and presented by The Society for Chinese Ceramics Studies, that we are offering our members & their families a second chance to tour the exhibition on Sunday afternoon, September 24 at 3:00 pm. Sign up a.s.a.p. to avoid being disappointed again! More details follow....
Singapore's Heritage Conservation Centre is hosting a very special two-hour workshop for SEACS members Friday, 27 October, 1-3 pm. For more details continue here ....
November 9-11 SEACS has arranged a special members -only field trip to the kilns and historic sites of Sukhothai and Si Satchanalai in northern Thailand with two renowned experts of Thai ceramics. Full details including the trip itinerary, costs, and application forms are now available. Registration is on a first-come, first-accepted basis.
