METRO
The legacy of two great collectors of ceramics and pottery lives on in a Bangkok museum, writes Anchalee Kongrut
Rows of jars in different art styles are displayed on the museum's shelves. |
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The recent deaths of two major antique collectors - tycoon and avid photographer Surat Osathanugrah and art historian Roxanna Brown - have triggered public interest in the Southeast Asian Ceramics Museum (SACM), once a dormant place known only to a limited number of arts aficionados.
The late Surat, whose family runs the Osotsapha Group - one of the country's largest conglomerates for consumer products - died early last month from a blood infection at the age of 78.
Brown, a US art historian who served as a director of the Southeast Asian Ceramics Museum at Bangkok University's Rangsit Campus, died recently while in the custody of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation.
She had been accused of involvement in the fraudulent valuation of smuggled Southeast Asian antiquities.
The university has adamantly denied it had anything to do with the alleged fraud. Her sudden death leaves the matter a mystery.
An elephant-shaped celadon jar is one of the must-see items. |
A ceramic doll depicts a boy holding a jar on his shoulder. |
Another elephant-shaped jar.
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However, it is needless to say that the art historian, who made Thailand her home, contributed a great deal to the museum, which was founded by Surat in 2005 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the university.
Museum staff conceded that Brown's case has placed the once-quiet museum in the limelight. Before this, the museum was known only in the international arts scene.
A former Vietnam war correspondent, Brown developed a deep passion for ancient ceramics.
She eventually became one of the country's experts on ceramics from shipwrecks - historical examples found in underwater sites in areas such as the Gulf of Thailand.
Ceramics from shipwrecks are historical evidence of ancient civilisation and early trade between Siam and China.
Surat's interest in these ceramics and his decision to open the museum may have something to do with the trading background of his family.
The museum, which is well known in the international arts scene, boasts about 2,050 artifacts donated by Surat, who started collecting them when he was in his thirties.
Housed in the museum are a number of priceless collections dating from as early as 3,000BC until the 19th century. Most were discovered locally, with a few collections from Cambodia, Vietnam and Burma.
"Khun Surat just wanted Thais and foreigners to come and study the historical objects - the evidence of early trade," said Burin Singtoh-ard, a curator at the museum.
"Above all, he wanted this place to showcase national heritages," he said.
While other wealthy members of the elite collected ancient chinaware, Buddha statues or paintings, Surat's passion was local ancient ceramics and pottery - historical evidence of early commercial activities in Siam, which traded with China and countries in the Southeast Asian region.
Apart from imported pottery and ceramics, Siam developed its own products almost 1,000 years ago.
Small villages in the northern part of the kingdom had their own kilns and technology to make pottery.
These ancient artisans even copied models of Chinese porcelain and came up with their own local industry - for instance in Vieng Kalong, which is now in Chiang Rai province and is still well-known for fine pottery and earthenware.
There are some must-see objects at the museum, including a celadon elephant jar.
This green-glazed pottery, in the Khmer style, is believed to have been made almost 1,000 years ago at a kiln near the Thai-Cambodian border, which is now in Buri Ram province.
One feature of this museum makes it different to others. The one storey museum - about 1,827 square metres or almost the size of two football fields - is located underground.
The idea is to mimic an ancient kiln, which were often placed underground.
"This museum offers lessons about trading history through certain objects. At this museum, ceramics and pottery have stories to tell," said Mr Burin.
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