Southeast Asian Ceramics Museum Newsletter Volume VI Number 2-3 2013

Editor: Report on the: 2012 International Symposium on Ancient Ceramics Pariwat Its Scientific and Technological Insights Thammapreechakorn The International Symposium on fields working together was seen Editorial staff: Ancient Ceramics (ISAC) has grown throughout the papers. The topics Burin Singtoaj substantially since its inception in of the papers cited in this report are Atthasit Sukkham Wannaporn Khambut Shanghai in 1982. Thirty years later, representative, but not comprehensive John Toomey in October 2012, scientists, experts, and there are necessarily cross-overs. Walter Kassela and scholars convened at the Kai Comments are made on papers in MenZi Grand Hotel in the following categories: scientific, Reporters: for the tenth tri-annual symposium. archaeological, Chinese export wares, Ang Choulean, Ann Proctor, Augustine Vinh, The Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, beyond China, and conservation. Berenice Bellina, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Chang Kuang-Jen, Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute sponsored [1] Scientific Papers included Chhay Rachna, the event which was organized by the reports on: testing variations in Chhay Visoth, Shanghai Research Society of Science heat treatment, composition, and David Rehfuss, Dawn Rooney,Don Hein, and Technology of Ancient Ceramics, microstructure of Ru fragments Donald Stadtner, the Institute of Ancient Ceramics, and from workshops at Qingliangsi and Edward Von der Porten, the Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute. The Zhanggongxiang in province Else Geraets, session opened with remarks from in an effort to characterize Ru ware as Eusebio Dizon, Gary Hill, eminent Chinese scholars. Forty-three one of the great imperial wares of the Hab Touch, Heidi Tan, Ho Chui Mei, Horst Liebner, papers were presented and over one ; applying digital image Ian Glover, Jennifer Rodrigo, hundred Chinese and more than thirty analysis on petrographic thin sections John Kleinen, foreigners representing seventeen to obtain a wider range of quantitative Leng Rattanak, Li Guo, countries participated in the three-day data; analyzing the microstructure Li Jianan, Louise Cort, symposium. of proto- from Zhengzhou Marie-France Dupoizat, Melody Rod-ari, (early capital of Shang dynasty) using a Michael Flecker, Papers introducing new methods petrographic microscope to determine Mohd. Sherman bin Sauffi, for examining, testing, and analyzing whether a relationship exists between Ngueyn Xuan Hien, ceramics upheld the reputation of the the production of proto-porcelain Pamela Gutman, symposium as a forum at the forefront and stamped ; analyzing Patrick McGlyn, Peter Burns, Philippe Colomban, of ceramic technological advances. Yixing purple sand clay from kilns in Pierre-Yves Manguin, Archaeological updates of work in Shushan and determining that the Rasmi Shoocongdej, progress and new discoveries in the microstructure differed between 1573 Rita Tan, field contributed to the breadth of the and 1911 which enabled dating; applying Sayan Praicharnjit, symposium. Globalization emerged as a Shih Ching-fei, Sten Sjostrand, strong theme in this year’s programme Tim Hartill, and papers on Chinese export wares Timothy Rebbeck, reflected the global tone of the Tira Vanichtheeranont, symposium. Still other examples of the Tran Ky Phuong, outward looking theme were reports on Zheng Jin Ie ceramics produced in other cultures. @ Email: Ceramic conservation was a new and [email protected] interesting topic in the programme. A Southeast Asian Ceramics Museum trend towards disciplines in multiple Inside this issue: Letter from the editor Report on the: 2012 International 1 Hello to all members. First of all, we apologize for the delay of our newsletter Symposium, Jingdezhen again. In this issue, we have combined both newsletters, No. 2-3 of 2013, News in brief 3 because the reports on the international conferences in Dublin, Ireland and Report on the EURASEAA in Jingdezhen, the People’s Republic of China have very interesting content. 4 Dublin 2012 Therefore, we did not want to shorten any valuable information in these Preliminary Report Quang reports, and we appreciate your understanding. Now we are planning new 6 Ngai Shipwreck,Vietnam efforts and improving our staff to increase performance and enhance academic concentration of knowledge. We desire to improve our newsletters and to SEACM Ceramics on Display in Singapore 7 cater more to the interest of every member of our newsletter distribution list. page 2

Report on the: 2012 International Symposium on Ancient Ceramics Its Scientific and Technological Insights instrumental neutron activation producing kiln sites of the same excavations of the kiln structure analysis (INAA) to shards from period in Hangzhou; the firing suggest its evolution was a local four sites of the Middle and Late temperature of from a invention. A study of inscriptions periods from Diaolongbei in Hubei Yue kiln site was determined on Guangdong jars retrieved from province to determine provenance. using Thermoluescence testing. the 9th century Belitung shipwreck in Indonesia indicates ownership Analyses of colouring agents in Scientific testing on Chinese and functions of the jars. Khmer glazes included: testing of the blue white porcelain was the subject of and Sanskrit words for ceramic and green colours and the effects of other papers. Ceramics retrieved and metal forms were studied in iron oxide in glazes; testing from recent excavations at Baihe inscriptions and depictions of the of the light, opaque, lead-glaze on kiln in Henan concluded that forms on bas-reliefs were noted to Qing tiles from Huangwa kilns, in white porcelain of the Northern identify old names for the ceramics Liaoning province, to determine Wei dynasty was produced one and thus understand production. characteristics of the tin-based hundred years earlier than opacifiers; testing an iron-rich previously believed, and that it [3] Chinese Export Wares colourant on decorated Cizhou is the earliest found in China so provided new insight into both the wares ascertained likenesses with far. Various tests on samples of scope of the early maritime trade similar types of Korean ceramics. white porcelain from the Dehua network between Europe and kilns (Song to Qing dynasties) China from the sixteenth century in Fujian province identified the onwards and the regional trade in composition of the body and Asia. The Chinese tankard form glaze and provided insight into was followed from production in the development, evolution, and the Neolithic period to Han and export trade market for the ware. Tang dynasties and to the Ming Samples of ‘translucent white period when it was influenced by porcelain’ and coarser wares from the form in other materials from sites in Hebei province (Sui dynasty) the Middle East which influenced were analyzed to determine the European ceramics and continued technological evolution of white as a Chinese export form, often Figure 1 General view of the seminar porcelain from the Xing kiln. An with European designs, in the 17th analysis of the raw materials of to 19th century; Chinese export Findings on various aspects the body and glaze of ware ware based on records of the of celadon included: kilns at (Five Dynasties to the Jin dynasty) Dutch East Indies and ceramics Laoshushan, Dequing, Zhejiang identified recipes used during the from private and public collections province, produced both various periods of production. in Europe was discussed; another preliminary celadon and hard paper presented the same pottery based on results of tests subject from the Portuguese on the composition of the body perspective; late 16th and early and glaze to determine the firing 17th century Kraak porcelain from temperature using X-ray emission Jingdezhen shipped to Portugal (PIXE); a comparison of Longquan reinforced that country’s role in with Islamic shards the export trade; archaeological from Fustat, Cairo (CE 1250-1382) and documentary evidence of revealed similarities in aspects 17th century Chinese porcelain ranging from form, glaze, colour, found at English settlements and decoration testifying that in Jamestown, Williamsburg, Figure 2 Pariwat Thammapreechakorn copies of Director of SEACM gives a lecture about and Yorktown, USA, identified a were produced either in Egypt, or Jingdezhen ceramics founded in thailand broader market for export ware; perhaps at kilns in Syria or Iran; characteristics of Bencharong, a characteristics of the glaze, forms, [2] Archaeological - Jingdezhen type of enamelled Chinese export and function of Si Satchanalai export wares found in ware made exclusively for Thai celadon, north-central Thailand, archaeological sites in Thailand royalty (18th and 19th centuries) of the 15th to early 17th centuries were identified and provided were identified; a vast number of were identified; X-ray fluorescence previously unknown information Chinese and Japanese in was used for another celadon on trade, distribution, and usage. the Prussian Palaces and Gardens comparison between shards of The discovery of the Torp Chey Foundation collection in Berlin- the southern Song dynasty with kilns in northwestern Cambodia Brandenburg substantiated the those of two other celadon- was presented and subsequent active European market for export page 3 ware. A reassessment of the dating tenth and early thirteenth centuries A book of the proceedings including for polychrome Kangxi period were examined by X-ray analysis. 115 abstracts published in both famille noire wares in western Chinese and English was given to collections is in progress using [5] Conservation - Visual and each participant and is a valuable stylistic and technical analyses. scientific examinations of the reference. The mix of cultures Islamic ceramics in the Nelson- and topics of the presentations [4] Beyond China - Results of Atkins Museum of Art were reflected a high level of scholarship tests and analyzes of ceramics undertaken to identify the condition confirming that ISAC is the pre- from an administrative centre at of the pieces that revealed aspects imminent forum in its field. the New Kingdom site of Amara such as over-painting, repaired West in northern Sudan suggest cracks, and differences in surface that they were manufactured colours and uneven joints between locally; the brilliance of the original surface and added Temmoku shards was revealed pieces. The use of menthol, an through testing the technical organic compound, for temporary aspects; Iranian monochrome consolidation of binding pieces glazed mosaic tiles from mid- together for stabilization was 15th century Caravanserai at discussed. The use of epoxy putty East Azerbaija were studied to in ceramic restoration has proven investigate a possible link with to be an effective and strong the monochrome Anatolian Seljuk bonding agent. The application tiles; wheel-thrown sulphur of nanomaterials to consolidate Figure 3 Trip to Jizhou kiln and from the medieval damaged pottery was explained. provincial museum period sites of Primorye, Priamurye and Transbailaye and China Concluding Points - The The symposium concluded with revealed the handicraft tradition announcement of the establishment a visit to the Imperial Kilns and of pottery of the Far Eastern region; of a database to study the raw professional visits were organized pottery in the 13th century walled materials of ancient ceramics was for the next four days to the Expo town of Ekaterinovskoe, Primorski an exciting development with long- Area of the Ancient Kiln and region was discussed; the term potential for researchers. Folk Customs Jingdezhen, and characterizing of Eurasian pottery A consortium of institutions in the Yaoli site; and to the Jizhou microstructures via synchrotron China set up the programme with kiln and provincial museum in X-ray scattering (a fast and non- the aim of providing information Jiangxi province and Yonghe town. invasive method) was presented; to determine the provenance and archaeological ceramics from performance of ancient ceramics. Dawn Rooney four sites in Afghanistan and Uzbekistan dated between the

New in brief... below the keel to study the charac- RE-EXCAVATION OF RANG KWIEN teristics of the keel and surrounding SHIPWRECK BY UNDERWATER area on the starboard side of a ARCHAEOLOGY DIVISION AND ship. In general, this shipwreck NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM was first discovered in 1977, locat- ed at 22 meters depth under the A great opportunity was presented Gulf of Thailand near Rang Kwien to the Southeast Asian Ceramics Island off Bang Saray Sub-district, eries included fragments of Yuan Museum of Bangkok University to Sattahip District, Chonburi Province, celadons, Vietnamese blue and join in the re-excavation the Rang and also had numerous earlier ref- white wares, Vietnamese brown Kwien shipwreck. In fact, the Un- erences to it. In the preliminary re- glazed wares, Vietnamese cela- derwater Archaeology Division sults of the 2012-2013 excavation, dons, Thai Si Satchanalai and Ban (UAD) and National Maritime UAD and NMM have found the keel Bang Pun wares, ivories, Chi- Museum (NMM) of the Thai Fine of at least 25 meters in length with nese coins, copper ingots and Arts Department conducted the a long groove line excised on top of whetstones. The dating of the ship- re-excavation of 100 square me- it, the bow faced to the Southeast wreck is around 14th century. ters covered by this shipwreck dur- (150 degrees) and the stern faced The nationality and destination of ing 2012 – 2013. For a better under- to the Northwest (330 degrees), the Rang Kwien are unclear. UAD standing of the Ayutthaya some damaged hull planks, and and NMM are publishing the final maritime trade it was excavated excavation finds. Excavation recov- report soon. page 4

CERAMIC PAPERS PRESENTED AT THE EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN ARCHAEOLOGISTS 14TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 18-21 SEPTEMBER 2012 DUBLIN, IRELAND (PAPERS ON CERAMICS) The fourteenth international con- ference of the European Associa- tion of Southeast Asian Archae- ologists was held in Dublin Castle Conference Centre and the Chester Beatty Library. University College Dublin hosted the event. ‘Any topic related to Southeast Asian archae- ology’ was the theme of the con- ference. The broad subject matter drew papers from a wide variety of The panel ‘Understanding Specific motifs or forms of disciplines. An additional theme, Southeast Asian ceramics: reflec- excavated ceramics were the sub- ‘Science, Archaeology, and Heri- tions on the past, current research, ject of several other papers. The tage in Southeast Asia’, coincided and future directions’, ably or- human face depicted on Neolithic with Dublin as the European City ganized by Judy Voelker (North- and Palaeometallic pottery in In- of Science, 2012. Three panels fo- ern Kentucky University) and Ally donesia was studied to determine cused on narrower subjects within Halliwell (Macquarie University), its importance in the Austronesian the overall themes. One on epig- included twenty-six papers (an diaspora. Another paper described raphy and manuscripts was suit- unprecedented number) plus six a group of ‘conical rollers’ and ably matched with the renowned more on ceramics in other panels. their use from Ban Non Wat, a site collection in the Chester Beatty Li- So, a total of thirty-two papers di- spanning the Bronze and Iron Ages brary. Two other panels were dedi- rectly related to the subject were in northeastern Thailand. Ceramic cated to Southeast Asian Ceram- presented and three posters sup- bivalve casting molds recovered ics and Khmer archaeology. This ported the papers. Related fields from deposits in three copper pro- report is only on papers related to such as historical archaeology, new duction and habitation sites in the ceramics. testing technologies, and trade and Khao Wong Prachan Valley, central maritime developments in South- Thailand, were studied with the east Asia were also covered and aim of a better understanding the added to the breadth of knowledge origins of mining and metallurgy on ceramics. in Southeast Asia. Traditional production of making Three papers covered the dis- pots and cooking techniques of tribution and dating of Chinese the inhabitants in Ban Chompoi, ceramics found in a Southeast Attapeu Province, southern Laos, Asian context. Tang period wares were recorded for comparison with retrieved from the Musi River in wares from pots found in other ar- Palembang, a ninth century Sri- chaeological sites. Characteristics wijaya capital, provided a new of the Kok Moh kendis excavated source of archaeological data for at Ban Pah O in the Satingpra Com- Figure 1 Dr Joyce White presenting a documenting trade in Palembang plex in southern Thailand were talk on ‘Changing Paradigms in South- east Asian Archaeology’ during the at an early date. identified and the relevance of the EurASEAA14 Pleanary Session at Dublin dated between the ninth and sev- kendis to similar types found in Castle chaired by Dr Helen Lewis. www. enteenth centuries excavated at cargo retrieved from shipwrecks facebook.com/EurASEAA14/ Angkor were discussed in the con- was pinpointed. text of their relationship to daily The keynote address by Joyce life of the Khmers. Chinese ceram- Another area of focus was pre- White, University of Pennsylvania, ics found in twelfth to sixteenth senting ceramics in a broad, social stressed that the 1970s method- century settlements and burials in context and comparing them with ologies applied to ceramics are the Tangay region of Negros Island other cultures. Prehistoric ceramics outdated; the need to expand our were studied for typological and excavated at various sites in Thai- research beyond the norm; and compositional information result- land, for example, followed this the value of studying shards for ing in preliminary findings on dis- theme. One included assemblages insight into communities and for tribution and ‘demand’ for foreign found in camp sites and burials identifying sub-regions such as ceramics in the Philippines. in upper Peninsular Thailand; and those in the Ban Chiang Culture of another described ceramics from Thailand. two subsets of the Ban Chiang page 5

Culture dating from the Middle to between the ninth and fourteenth the Early Periods. An analysis of centuries were used for compari- decorated, non-anthropomorphic son of materials and types. Recent earthenware from the Ayub Cave excavations yielding brown-glazed in Maitum, Sarangani Province, in ceramics in a large kiln (the largest the Philippines dating to the Iron in Southeast Asia found so far) at Age was conducted to determine Torp Chey, along the ancient road spatial and temporal relationships leading from Angkor to the temple of prehistoric people in the south- of Preah Khan of Kompong Svay, ern Philippines. Another paper also enabled a study of the develop- presented findings of ceramics in ment of kiln technology during the the Philippines from the Ille Cave Khmer Empire. Test excavations and other cave sites in the Dewil and surface finds of Khmer (glazed Figure 3 Radiocarbon Dates from Jar Valley and determined that most and unglazed), Chinese, Thai, and and Coffin Burials of the Cardamom of the vessels were associated with Vietnamese ceramics dating be- Mountains Reveal a Previously Unre- burial rituals. The information tween the tenth and seventeenth corded Mortuary Ritual in Combodia’s contributed to an understanding centuries at Kok Phnov, Siem Reap Late - to- Post-Angkor Period (15th-17th of the social organization of the in- Province, were analyzed and then Centuries AD) habitants. Ban Bang Pun ceramics used to compare finds from other from related settlements in central occupation sites. Preliminary chro- known abroad, were welcome ad- Thailand dating between the four- nologies for Khmer ceramics pro- ditions to the programme. Earth- teenth and sixteenth centuries, posed in the 1980s onwards were enware shards found at three and ceramics retrieved from ship- re-examined, and in light of new archaeological sites (Sriksetra, wrecks were studied to determine findings and recent excavations Tagaung, Bagan) were analyzed the economic and social context presented new dating for the end- to draw up a preliminary clas- in which they were produced. Jar ing date of production. Excavations sification and propose an initial burial sites in the Philippines were at the Krang Kor site in Kompong chronology for the wares. Marta- studied to determine whether the Chhang Province, Cambodia, yield- ban jars retrieved from nine cem- landscape features of where they ed the discovery of burials with eteries in the southern Kelabit were found influenced the choice celadons (both Chinese and Thai), Highlands in Sarawak that were of the sacred space. Khmer earthenware, and objects classified by type enabled a study of other materials dated between of their connection with other re- the fourteenth and sixteenth cen- gions of Southeast Asia. turies. Ancient inscriptions writ- ten mainly in Khmer were studied, Without the dedication and along with depictions on the reliefs perseverance of the organizers to and modern ceramic terminology, bring together such a large num- to determine words related to ce- ber of papers on a common subject ramic and metal types or shapes. this panel would not have been so Investigations in the environs of successful. Thank you Judy and Preah Khan of Kompong Svay and Ally! specifically iron-production sites have shed light on the nature of Dawn Rooney the temple as a regional Khmer Figure 2 Burial jars discovered in centre and its importance as a re- Cambodia source for metal in the Angkorian and post-Angkorian periods. Further research on ceramics Ceramics, glass beads, and other in Cambodia was well represented. materials from ten Cambodian A study of Khmer ceramics from sites were examined to try to re- kilns in Northeastern Thailand construct internal exchange be- and the Kulen area of Cambodia tween the Iron Age sites in Cambo- presented a new interpretation dia and Southeast Asia. of their development. Results of chemical analyses and petrograph- Papers on various aspects of ic studies of Khmer wares from Myanmar (formerly Burma) art five Angkorian kiln sites dating and archaeology, which are little page 6 PRELIMINARY REPORT QUANG NGAI SHIPWRECK, VIETNAM Quang Ngai (Binh Chau ) - Yuan Shipwreck was discovered by local fishermen on 7 September 2012 near Binh Chau Village, Binh Son District, Quang Ngai Province, approximately twenty kilome- ters east of Quang Ngai City in central Vietnam. The shipwreck is located fifty meters offshore at an extremely shallow depth under about three meters of sand. Photo QN-1 or Incense The discovery resulted in rather Photo QN-4 Jarlet violent confrontations between the Burners fishermen and the police. There smaller plates, about 26 centi- only of basins with foliated rim as is some speculation that the Chi- meters in diameter some with illustrated in Photo QN - 5 below. nese vessel, which reportedly twin phoenix, some with pie crust measures approximately 20 me- rim; medium bowls with the mo- The authorities confiscated large ters in length and 4 to 5 meters tif in the central medallion con- in width, may be relatively intact. sisting of a lightly molded floral If so this would provide archeolo- spray, twin fish, or a pair of people gists with an excellent opportunity for study and analysis of the con- struction materials and shipbuild- ing techniques. The wrecksite area is now under heavy guard by the Vietnamese government authori- ties. A contract to salvage the wreck has already been awarded to a Saigon firm and excavation is Photo QN-5 Brown Glazed Wares expected to be completed this year. quantities of the wares recovered Only Chinese ceramics, dated Photo QN-2 Celadon Bowl by the fishermen. However, very to the early 14th century of the limited numbers of the Quang Yuan Dynasty (1271 to 1368), were (for an example refer to Photo QN-2). Ngai ceramics were available in recovered and amounted to a few Other celadons (some similar to a few of the antique shops in Sai- thousand items, which includes the Karang Cina finds in Indonesia gon. There is considerable spec- intact as well as broken wares. The dated to the early Yuan dynasty), ulation about the remainder of ceramics consisted primarily of included small shallow bowls with the cargo, much of which centers celadon wares from both Longquan unglazed interior, medium size upon the possibility of significant and the southern China kilns such conical shape deep dishes with quantities of Yuan blue and white as those in Fujian and Guangdong. unglazed center (see Photo QN-3), material possibly being recov- Also recovered were a limited jarlets with two loop handles and ered. We will have to wait and see! number of small Jingdezhen jarlets with two loop handles and faceted sides, as well as plain sides, and Walter Kassela with various décor: spotted iron decoration, blue and white of rath- er poor quality, and underglaze red in extremely small amounts. A large blue and white plate (broken in half) was also reportedly recov- ered, but this could not be verified.

Longquan celadons included small Photo QN-3 Deep Dish censers or incense burners as shown in Photo QN-1, large plates molded floral décor (see Photo QN- (approximately 33 to 36 centime- 4 ), and small dishes with unglazed ters in diameter) with foliated mouthrim and very lightly molded rim, fluted cavetto, and with flo- twin fish motif. Brown glazed wares ral décor, fish, deer, or dragon; were also recovered, consisting page 7

SEACM CERAMICS ON Asian Ceramics Museum: a Wang For further information and details DISPLAY IN SINGAPORE Nua celadon cylindrical box with on the lavishly illustrated exhibi- lotus-shaped cover, along with 4 tion catalogue visit ACM’s website The Asian Civilizations Mu- Si Satchanalai ceramics - a cela- at www.acm.org.sg. seum (ACM) in Singapore special don bowl or plate with intricately exhibition, “Enlightened Ways - carved lotus design, a lotus shaped The many streams of Buddhist art covered jar with underglaze black in Thailand,” explores the many and molded accents, a dish with forms of Thai Buddhist art. The underglaze painted lotus design, exhibition demonstrates the wide and an exceptional reliquary in range and diverse influences of chedi form with elephants at the this artistic tradition. The majority base (see photos below). Participa- of the exhibits are from 11 Thai tion in this important exhibition museums and include sculpture, is part of our continuing efforts to paintings, textiles and furniture, encourage the study and apprecia- as well as ceramics. The exhibi- tion of Thai arts and culture. The tion includes 5 ceramics from exhibition was held from 30 the collection of the Southeast November 2012 to 17 April 2003. 3

1

4

Figure 1 Exhibition Entrance

Figure 2 Display of SEACM ceramics

Figure 3 A lotus shaped covered jar with underglaze black

2 Figure 4 Reliquary in the form of a chedi with elephantsCom-

The Southeast Asian Ceramics Museum Newsletter is inviting all members to submit articles for the Newsletter. Please send your articles or comments and suggestions to the Newsletter Editor at [email protected]. Please take note that there will be no honoraria for articles published.

The Southeast Asian Ceramics Museum is still closed for repairs due to last year’s floods.