Unique head of Buddha from Sawankhalok of celadon, Thailand, 14th-16th Century

• This is a unique head as these kind of Buddha heads of this material are very rare.
• The head is of fine quality only one earlobe has been broken.
• Sawankhalok is a town in North Thailand, on the Yom River north of Sukhothai town. A few miles north of the present town are the remains of the ancient walled city of Sawankhalok. The old town was renowned for pottery manufacture which style is very recognizable. 

Ancient Sawankhalok pottery refers to a distinctive type of high-fired ceramics produced in Thailand during the Sukhothai and early Ayutthaya periods, primarily between the 13th and 16th centuries CE. It is considered one of Southeast Asia’s finest historical ceramic traditions and was part of a significant regional trade network.

Historical Context

• Sawankhalok (also spelled Sawankalok or Si Satchanalai) was a major ceramics production center in north-central Thailand, near the Yom River in modern-day Sukhothai Province.
• It thrived under the Sukhothai Kingdom (13th–15th centuries) and later during the Ayutthaya period, playing a crucial role in international trade, especially with China, Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines, and as far as the Middle East.
• The area hosted hundreds of kilns, many of which have been excavated at the Si Satchanalai historical park.

Key Characteristics of Sawankhalok Pottery

1. Material and Technique

• Made from stoneware clay, fired at high temperatures (1,200–1,300°C).
• Used oxidation and reduction firing techniques to achieve varied surface effects.
• Glazes included celadon green, brown iron, and black finishes.

2. Forms and Shapes

• Common forms included:
• Bowls and jars
• Covered boxes
• Figurines and animal shapes
• Ceremonial vessels and flasks
• Many pieces were wheel-thrown, with fine craftsmanship and symmetrical shaping.

3. Decoration

• Popular decorative motifs:
• Floral and leaf patterns
• Fish, birds, lotus petals, and abstract waves
• Carved, incised, or painted underglaze
• Notably, celadon glaze became a signature of Sawankhalok ware, sometimes rivaling Chinese Longquan celadon.

Trade and Influence

• Sawankhalok ware was exported widely and discovered in shipwrecks and archaeological sites across Asia.
• It formed a key part of the Maritime Silk Road, particularly during the Ming Dynasty’s ban on Chinese exports (early 15th century), which opened markets for Southeast Asian ceramics.
• Thai wares were often imitated by other regional kilns, including in Vietnam and Cambodia.

Modern Significance and Preservation

• Excavations at sites like Ban Ko Noi have unearthed extensive kiln complexes and pottery fragments.
• Sawankhalok ceramics are held in major museum collections worldwide, including:
• Bangkok National Museum
• Victoria and Albert Museum (London)
• Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York)
• The style continues to influence modern Thai ceramic art and revival workshops in the region.

Summary

Sawankhalok pottery is a testament to Thailand’s rich ceramic heritage and its role in medieval Asian trade. With elegant forms, refined celadon glazes, and beautiful motifs, these ceramics showcase the high craftsmanship and cultural sophistication of the Sukhothai-era Thai potters. They remain important artifacts of both aesthetic and historical value.

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