Southeast Asian Ceramics & Pottery

Southeast Asia boasts a celebrated and diverse history of ceramics spanning more than four millennia. From the prehistoric era to the present, vessels of remarkable quality have been produced throughout mainland Southeast Asia. The painted Bronze Age ceramics from Northern Thailand rank among the most prized examples of the region today.

The origin of advanced pottery techniques over the last two millennia led to the foundation of numerous traditions. Artisanal ceramic shops in Vietnam emerged in the era of Han Dynasty (circa 200 B.C.) control, and Vietnam became Southeast Asia’s leader in ceramic production during this time. After vanquishing the Chinese, the region developed their own distinctive tradition of pottery over the next several hundred years.

Quick Facts

• During the Ming Dynasty (1364-1644 C.E.), insular trade policies and a resulting moratorium on ceramic exports allowed native pottery traditions to evolve and flourish. This is commonly known as the “Ming Gap”
• The Ming Gap led to what is known as the golden age of Thai classic celadon (1424-1487 C.E.), identified by its distinctive green glaze
• Historical research of Southeast Asian pottery has grown over the last 30 years due to the discovery of over 120 shipwrecks off the coasts of Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines