The Annual William Willets Lecture
The William Willetts Lecture was established at the Southeast Asian Ceramic Society’s 135th council meeting when the council unanimously agreed to name the lecture which follows the AGM ‘The William Willetts Lecture’ in memory of its founder, Mr William Willetts, who passed away on 30 January 1995 at the age of 76. This lecture has been held annually every year since its launch with the exception of 2020. (Photo courtesy of SEACS member Ng Seng Leong, 1967/68)
YEAR
SPEAKER
TOPIC
26 March, 2022
Dr. Michael Flecker
“Historical Shipwrecks in Singapore Waters: An Intimate Glance at their Ceramic Cargoes”
For more information, download the flyer here.
20 March, 2021
Dr. Rose Kerr
“Yaozhou Ceramics”
2020
Cancelled due to Covid-19
7 March, 2018
Dr. Barbara & Dr. Leonard Andaya
5 April, 2017
Dr. John Miksic
To download a fascinating article written in 1972 on “The Status of the Study of Ceramic Wares in Southeast Asia” by Cheng Te-K’un, click here. Compare where we are today!
16 March, 2016
Dr. Wang Gungwu
“By Land or by Sea: Ceramics and Silk”
21 April, 2015
Dr. Stacey Pierson
“What Makes a Masterpiece? The Five Classic Wares of the Song (ru, guan, ge, ding, jun) and their Histories”
6 April, 2014
Dr. Kenson Kwok
“Peranakan Material Culture: How Peranakan is It?”
1 February, 2013
Dr. Dawn Rooney
“The Life and Work of the Society’s Founder: William Willetts”
30 March, 2012
Mr. Kwa Chong Guan
“The Art of Angkor Monuments and its Dating“
Read Professor Kwa’s Introduction to Willetts’ book on Angkor Wat sites here.
A video of this talk may be watched on the Members’ Premium Video page.
18 April, 2011
Ms. Natalie Ong & Mr. Alvin Chia, with an opening address by Dr. John Miksic
20 March, 2010
Rose Kerr
“Chinese Export Ceramics for the Southeast Asian Market”
27 March, 2009
Dr. Peter Y. K. Lam
7 May, 2008
Dr. John Miksic
“Strange Discoveries: Mysterious Artefacts in Singapore”
15 March, 2007
Dr. John Guy
26 April, 2006
Dr. Wang Gungwu
“Tribute and Trade: The Ming Dynasty”
1 April, 2005
Dr. Heidi Tan
“New Insights on Rare Vietnamese Ceramics in the ACM Collection”
25 March, 2004
Mr. Kwa Chong Guan
“The Indianization of Southeast Asia”
28 March, 2003
Dr. Kenson Kwok
“Blanc de Chine: The Hickley Collection”
4 April, 2002
Mr. Anthony Lin
“The Imperial Porcelains of the Kangxi Era”
23 March, 2001
Mr. Dorian Ball
28 April, 2000
Dr. Jean Martin
“Chinese Blue and White Ceramics: Singapore 1978 in Retrospect”
For more information, download the flyer here.
7 May, 1999
Mr. Christopher Frape
“The Jade Culture of Ancient Vietnam”
21 March, 1997
Mr. Nigel Wood
“Ceramic Revelations: Fifteen Years of Discovery in Chinese Ceramics”
3 May, 1996
Mrs. Sumarah Adhyatman
“Trade beads found in Indonesia”
Click here for a pdf of the paper she presented.