Thai Sawankhalok Stoneware Human Figure

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

This remarkable hand-modeled stoneware figure represents a seated woman, showcasing the artistry and cultural depth of Sawankhalok ceramics, also known as Sangkhalok. Crafted during the Sukhothai Kingdom period (1238–1438) or the early Ayutthaya Period, this piece highlights the creative and practical ingenuity of the ceramic traditions from Si Satchanalai, one of the largest ceramic-producing centers in Southeast Asia during the 14th century.

The figure depicts a squatting, hunchbacked woman with a chignon hairstyle, adorned in a dotted sarong with an intricately detailed long belt and sashes. She appears to be holding water pots, emphasizing the utilitarian and symbolic roles of such figures in daily life or rituals. The piece is expertly rendered with molded and incised decorations, finished with brown and black glaze over a white slip, creating a striking visual contrast.

Sawankhalok ceramics were distinguished by their coarser clay, often containing small black, brown, or silvery specks due to the high iron content of the clay. Despite the clay's rough nature, artisans created a wide array of functional and decorative forms, from jars, bowls, and plates to zoomorphic and anthropomorphic figures like this one. During the Ming Dynasty's export ban (1371–1509), which restricted Chinese ceramics from foreign markets, Sawankhalok wares saw a surge in demand. These wares were exported in significant quantities to Indonesia, the Philippines, Japan, and the Middle East, filling a critical gap in international trade. 

This captivating figure, likely created at the Pa Yang kilns, reflects not only the technical skill of the artisans but also the cultural and social narratives of the time. The representation of daily life, combined with the decorative artistry, makes this piece a valuable testament to the rich history of Thai ceramics.

Good condition. Age-related wear. Glazing defects and firing flaws. Beautiful patina. Size approx. 12,5cm x 6,9cm x 6,0cm. 

Provenance: Finnish private collection

For a similar example see:

Vessel in the form of a seated elderly woman, National Museum of Asian Art, Freer Gallery of Art Collection, Accession Number: F1994.22 (https://asia.si.edu/object/F1994.22/)

References and further reading:

Thai ceramics, National Museums Scotland.

The ceramics of southeast Asia: Their 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.