Antique Rare Sawankhalok Pottery Elephant. Chang Thai. Si Satchanalai Kilns. Sukhothai Period. Statue. Thailand.
Click the photo above for a larger version and more pictures
One of the most famous examples of Thai pottery are from the Sukhothai period (14-16th Centuries) from the kilns of Si Satchanalai, which is around the historic village of Sawankhalok in north-central Thailand. This period started in the 13th century CE and continued until the 16th century. The art reached its apex in the 14th century. Examples from the Si Satchanalai kilns can be found in many leading museums of the world.
Craftsmen traded these precious ceramics with neighboring districts and even with other countries. The transport was often by ship across seas and oceans. A number of Si Satchanalai ceramics – still in excellent condition have been excavated from shipwrecks in the Gulf of Thailand, the Andaman Sea and from other east, west and south waters.
I have been looking for this level of craftsmanship for years . . especially an animal shape, plus being fired in the Si Satchanalai kilns. I have seen pieces in museum collections . . . but only a few very old animal figures. I could not have been more fortunate to find an elephant with its trunk raised (good fortune) AND find a piece that has been in a Bangkok collector’s family for generations!
This Thai elephant – Chang Thai – is colored in a rich brown glaze. The coloring shown in the fabric pattern on its back is rich and stunning. The finely fractured crackled surface of the glaze along with the lightly speckled ash residue that penetrated the glaze is from the firing in a low temperature kiln. This effect is not at all offensive. This makes it the finest in Sawankhalok pottery! Just look at the images.
The collector’s grandson says the piece is about 300 years old. It could be but I have not had an analysis done. I am confident that it is at least 100+ years old . . . which is reflected in my price. And, I cannot find any chips, cracks or repairs.
For the Serious Collector who finds this historic piece enchanting! Stand not included.