SE Asia, Thailand, ca. 1300 CE. Stoneware bowl with drawing of the Sukhothai fish. Interior laid with a cream slip, the central medallion features a fish painted in blue glaze, the exterior wall laid with cram slip and dark underglaze striations where the lip meets the body of the bowl. One scholar describes the Sukhothai fish as free and lively (1988: 64), as opposed to the more formal representations of Sawankhalok fishes. Sukhothai is famed for its stoneware of plates, dishes and bowls, having an underglaze iron black decoration of fish in the center, encircled by rings (one, two or three - in this case two and two more at the rim). According to the Southeast Asian Ceramic Society (SEAC) Sukhothai characteristics include: “a circular scar with evenly space unglazed dots (usually five) in the center” (Rooney 1989: 129) that is sometimes integrated into the fish designs;
a white slip showing on the base; and a coarse, grainy, greyish (sometimes brownish) body with white particles.
According to verbal lore, the Chinese potters went to Sukhothai in the late 13th century and then created the Thai stoneware tradition (Miksic 2009: 94). According to the SEAC, no ancient sources support this and one scholar by the name of Brown points out that stylistic motifs do not support this position either; rather aesthetics and technique reveal links with Vietnam (Brown 1977: 59). This is a fine example! Measures ~9" in diameter x 2 1/2" high.

Provenance: Ex-D. Smith Collection, CA, acquired prior to 1985.

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#102319

A few small chips to glaze at rim. Overall very good condition.