Thai Sawankhalok Yellow Glazed Stoneware Jarlet

Sukhothai Kingdom Period, c. 1300–1400 AD, Sukhothai Province, Si Satchanalai, Thailand

This exquisite miniature jarlet exemplifies the elegant simplicity of Sawankhalok ceramics from the Sukhothai Kingdom period (1238–1438). The piece features a rounded body, sloping shoulders, a tapering base, and a raised neck, culminating in a practical yet aesthetically pleasing design. The flat, unglazed base contrasts beautifully with the mustard-yellow glaze that envelops the jarlet's upper portion, adding a subtle warmth to its visual appeal.

Sawankhalok ceramics, also known as Sangkhalok wares, were primarily produced in the Si Satchanalai region, home to one of the most prominent ceramic production centers in Southeast Asia during the 14th century. The high iron content in the local clay gave rise to the distinctive coarser texture with specks that could appear black, brown, red, or even silvery. Despite these natural inclusions, the artisans achieved exceptional craftsmanship and functionality.

Ceramic shapes from Sawankhalok were typically utilitarian, with forms including jars, plates, bowls, bottles, and kendis, while decorative glazes—such as celadon green, white, black, and this unique yellow—added artistic refinement. The jarlet reflects the thriving regional and international trade of the time. Ceramics from Si Satchanalai were exported in vast quantities to Indonesia, the Philippines, Japan, and the Middle East, especially during the Ming Dynasty export ban (1371–1509), when Chinese ceramics were restricted from foreign markets. This left a demand that Thai and Vietnamese ceramic industries were eager to fill.

This small yet significant piece embodies the rich heritage of Thai ceramic traditions, serving both as a utilitarian object and as a marker of the region's far-reaching influence in the global trade networks of the medieval world.

Good condition. Intact. Age-related light wear and abrasion. Glazing defects and firing flaws. Size approx. 4,1cm x 4,7cm x 4,6cm. 

Provenance: Danish private collection.

References and further reading:

Thai ceramics, National Museums Scotland.

The ceramics of southeast Asia: Thei dating and identification (2nd ed.), R.M. Brown, Singapore, Singapore: Oxford Univesity Press, 1988.

Last shipments from the Thai Sawankhalok Kilns, R.M. Brown, Art from Thailand, pp. 93-103. Mumbai, Marg Publications, 1999.

A Field Guide to Glazed Thai Ceramics, Dawn F. Rooney, Asian Perspectives, Vol 28. No 2, pp. 125-144, University of Hawai'i Press, 1988-89.