This fine quality Chinese celadon jarlet was probably exported to South East Asia from mainland China to Southeast Asia from mainland China. This particular piece has a good olive green glaze with two handles near the rim.

Having this Chinese green-glaze ware in this collection may signify Chinese influence on Southeast Asian ceramics. For example, typical Sawankhalok green-glazed ware was largely influenced by Chinese green-glazed ware.

The green glazed ware was made extensively in China by the fourth century AD, and it was exported to South-East Asia from the time of the Song Dynasty (AD 960-1279). The trade became more active from Yuan (AD 1271-1368), and Ming ((AD 1368-1644) dynasty.

This Sawankhalok ware is a part of Mal Maloney's ceramic collection which comprises classic early Southeast Asian and Chinese ceramics including ceramics from the Sawankalok and Sukhothai kilns in Thailand, Annamese wares from Vietnam and Swatow and Ming Dynasty wares from China. All ceramic wares in this collection were collected in Jakarta betweeen 1968 and 1976. The collection is a good representation of trade wares in Southeast Asia and reflects the development of the ceramic industry and trade within the Asian regions during the thirteenth century and seventeenth century. This group of ceramic ware was probably exported to Indonesia via a sea trade route when Thailand became deeply involved in the long-distance ceramic trade.


Min-Jung Kim
Curator, Asian Arts & Design
April, 2010

The collection was purchased from trade people known as 'Tukang' in Jakarta, Indonesia by the donor, Mal Maloney, Sydney.

Mal Maloney says 'All the ceramics were acquired in Jakarta during the time I was working there during the period of 1968 -1976. We developed an interest in these items because our Chief geologist, Dean Frasche, was a college and a well known authority on SEA ceramics and he was always identifying pieces and explaining their origin and age. All pieces were bought over many years from 'Tukangs' or tradesmen who brought their wares to our house and offered them for sale. All were the subject of the usual Asian bargaining process, sometimes for as long as 20 minutes per piece!"

Jarlet, stoneware, celadon, Song/Ming dynasty, China, 13th-15th century

An olive green glazed jarlet with two handles. The jarlet has a wide shoulder and foot is uncarved. It is a very fine quality.

Made: 1200 - 1400

2011/100/11

1200 - 1400

63 mm

80 mm