Bencharong ware

(Thailand)

Title

Small tazza with 'trellis and rice ball' pattern

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

5.5 x 12.2cm

Credit

Gift of Mr F. Storch 1987

Accession number

452.1987

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)

Jackie Menzies, TAASA Review Mar 2004, 'The Nanhai Trade', pg. 4-7, Sydney, Mar 2004, 4-5, 6 (colour illus.), 7.

Jackie Menzies (Editor), The Asian Collections Art Gallery of New South Wales 2003, 'Export Ceramics', Domain, 2003, 143 (colour illus.).