Bencharong ware
(Thailand)
- Title
- Tazza
- Other titles:
- Large tazza
- Place of origin
-
Thailand
- Period
- Rama II Period 1809 - 1824 → Thailand
- Year
- early 19th century
- Media category
- Ceramic
- Materials used
- porcelain with enamel decoration
- Dimensions
-
10.0 x 28.0cm
- Credit
- Gift of Mr F. Storch 1981
- Accession number
- 316.1981
- Location
- Upper Asian gallery
- Further information
The Thais developed a taste for Chinese porcelains made in shapes suited to their way of eating and living, and decorated with Thai motifs and in Thai taste. There are two categories of ceramics made at Jingdezhen for the Thai market: Bencharong (five-colour) wares and Lam Nai Tong (goldwashed) wares. It is not sure exactly where the ceramics were decorated, but it could well have been at Jingdezhen as well. Bencharong was first commissioned by the last kings of Ayuthya, who used it at court and on their numerous tours around the country. It is thought that Buddhist books and paintings were supplied as references and sent to Guangzhou merchants, who acted as intermediaries to the Chinese potters and decorators for foreign orders. As with Western orders, new, alien ceramic shapes were communicated by maquettes in wood or perhaps metal.
'Bencharong wares', The Asian Collections, AGNSW, 2003, pg.142.
- Bibliography (2)
-
'Thai Bencharong wares' by Professor Philip Courtenay, pg. 18-19., Carter's Antiques and Collectables 2000, 2000, 7, 18, 19 (colour illus.).
'Export Ceramics', The Asian Collections Art Gallery of New South Wales 2003, 2003, 143 (colour illus.).
