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  • Leaping the Dragon Gate: The Sir Michael Butler Collection of Seventeenth-Century Chinese Porcelain

    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.

  • Peter Lam on Kitchen Ch’ing Porcelain – The William Willetts Lecture 2023

    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.

  • Chinese B&W shard found in Ayutthaya

    Chinese Exported Ware: A Fragment Reminder of Muslim Merchants’ Influence in Late Ayutthaya

    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.

  • A Boettger earthenware teapot

    In Praise of Teapots

    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.

  • A Japanese plate found in Pulau Saigon

    Later Japanese Ceramics in Southeast Asia

    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.

  • Japanese Hizen ware in Southeast East

    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.

  • Angkorian Stoneware Production 9-15C

    Dr. Ea Darith introduced the latest Angkor ceramic discoveries based on 20 years of laboratory research and intensive excavations. He introduced his study of Angkorian kilns and ceramics dating from the early 9th century to the end of the 15th century which led to the conclusion that kiln technology and the production of Angkorian stoneware ceramics advanced in two primary phases. SEACS members can watch a video of this talk on our Membership Premium Video page.

  • Ceramic Assemblages from SEA Shipwrecks

    Our speaker, Khun Atthasit Sukkham of the Southeast Asian Ceramics Museum, Bangkok University, focused on a trade time period that merits more attention: the last half of the 18th to the early 20th centuries. Based on his and Clifford Pereira and Asyaari Muhamad's research, we looked at six shipwrecks found in Southeast Asia in this time period, which had ceramic assemblages: the Samed Ngam, Diana, Tek Sing, Desaru, Francis-Garnier (Man Nok or Ruea Mail) and Tha Krai. By analysing the origins, typologies, dates, functions and selections of these ships’ ceramics, it was clear that the Chinese-made armorial, Chinese-made bencharong and European ceramics offer diagnostic evidence of post-peak ceramic trading patterns. These ceramics were products for sale, remains of earlier ceramic shipments or utensils for on-board living. This body of evidence is comparable with that of terrestrial archaeological sites that suggest other cultural influences among the more recent maritime ceramic trade in Southeast Asia. SEACS members can watch a video of this talk on our Membership Premium Video page.

  • 2 July or 10 October 2019 – A Special Visit to Singapore’s Heritage Conservation Centre (HCC)

    SEACS' much anticipated visits (offered on two separate dates) included a tour of the facilities with special emphasis placed on the ceramics kept at the Centre. The tour was followed by a special 90-minute talk by HCC conservators that focused on good storage & display practices for ceramics, and the topics of evaluating cracks and other flaws, restoration techniques and whether-or-not to repair.

    SGD50

  • Update on Yuan Blue-and-White Ceramics 元青花研究的几个问题

    Guest speaker Chen Kelun (陈克伦), Senior Curator of the Shanghai Museum and an expert on Chinese blue-and-white ceramics, shared with us the fact that most of the kiln sites of Yuan blue-and-white production that have been discovered to date are in Jingdezhen, concentrated in Hutian (湖田) and Lao Cheng (老城, meaning the ‘old town’ areas). Evidence from the latest archaeological finds show that the production of blue-and-white in Jingdezhen had begun by 1330 at the latest. Technological innovation was the key driver for the production of large-sized blue-and-white wares. The diversity of decorative motifs and designs that illustrated his talk demonstrated the multiplicity of cultural sources, including Islamic culture. SEACS members can watch a video of this talk on our Membership Premium Video page.

  • Historical Shipwrecks in Singapore Waters: An Intimate Glance at their Ceramic Cargoes

    Dr. Michael Flecker was SEACS' 23rd William Willetts Lecture speaker following the Society's 53rd AGM on 26 March 2022. His topic as the marine archaeologist who oversaw the many years' work on both ships (the Temasek and the Shah Muncher) was "Historical Shipwrecks in Singapore Waters". Remarkably, the first ancient shipwreck ever found in Singapore waters is contemporary with 14th century Temasek, and currently assumes this name. An excavation carried out in stages over four years resulted in the recovery of approximately 4.4 tonnes of ceramic shards and a handful of very significant intact pieces. The Temasek Wreck carried more Yuan dynasty blue-and-white porcelain than any other documented shipwreck in the world, along with Longquan celadons, shufu-ware and moulded qingbai-ware from Jingdezhen, cruder qingbai-ware from Fujian kilns, and brown-ware probably from Cizao (a town in Quanzhou). From the location of the site, the many parallel finds from Singapore terrestrial sites, and importantly a common dearth of large blue-and-white plates, the ancient port of Singapore, or Temasek, was the most likely destination. The second shipwreck has been identified as the Shah Muncher, an Indian-built, European-design Country Ship voyaging from Canton to Bombay. On 8th January 1796, she was forced upon the rocks of Pedra Branca by the current. Approximately 5 tonnes of Chinese ceramics were recovered, including an astounding variety of intact pieces. The Shah Muncher sank twenty-three years before Raffles re-established the port of Singapore. Nonetheless, her cargo provides insights into the types of goods that would have been purchased by Singapore’s fledgling community along with those that would have been transhipped at the new port. SEACS members can watch a video of this talk on our Membership Premium Video page.