Sankampaeng - Kendi, spout broken. © John Shaw
‘In 1942, when travelling through the forest near Sankampaeng, I came across fragments of glazed potteries.’ So wrote Kraisri Nimmanahaeminda. Eighty-three small kilns were subsequently discovered.
Sankampaeng - Kiln at the Wat Chiangsaen site. © John Shaw
Many rather poor celadon wares were produced; on jars, the small handles were pierced through the body and the dishes were fired lip to lip and base to base.
Sankampaeng - Jar with filter. © John Shaw
Most of the wares were not of good quality although some fine underglaze black decorated dishes and spectacular large dual glaze jars have been found.
Sankampaeng - Jar, glaze deteriorated. © John Shaw
Sherds of Sankampaeng wares are found at habitation sites throughout the north of Thailand but they are not known to have been exported. Hundreds, if not thousands of dishes were found at the Tak Hilltop Burial Sites.
Sankampaeng - Dish. © John Shaw
Sankampaeng ceramics were probably produced between 1350 and 1550, as was the majority of all Thai ceramics.
Sankampaeng - Jar. © John Shaw
Underglaze black
The twin fish motif is the best known Sankampaeng design, but many other vegetal patterns were used.
Sankampaeng - Dish sherd, kiln waster. © John Shaw
Brown and unglazed
These rustic, roughly glazed wares were probably made for the domestic use of nearby villagers and the potters themselves.
Sankampaeng - Pot, mouth broken. © John Shaw
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Text and photos by John Shaw © John Shaw – All Rights Reserved.
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