The Journal of the Siam Society Vol. XLIV, Part 1-2, 1956 - Khamkoo

Siam ami the Pottery Trade of Asia 105
In any event, Sawankalok pottery for at least a century
played an important r6le in the cm·amic trade of the East. Because
it did not measure up to the standards of the Chinese export wares,
most of it apparently went to the cheaper markets of Java, Borneo
and the Philippines. In these countries it was probably regarded
vrimarily as ordinary household ware, except in those curious cases
where certain pieces were treasured for their supposedly magical
powers. It is, therefore, not only of historical interest but also a
significant commentary on the aesthetic character of the Japanese
that it was only in Japan, so far as we know, that Sawanl{aluk
pottery was valued principally for its artistic qualities. Happily for
this reason there are some splendid collections of Sawankalok wal'e
in Japan today, many of the pieces of which have come down from
those appreciative vha}in and devotees of the tea ceremony who
were first attracted in the 16th and 17th centuries, if not even
earlier, to this truly unique Siamese prod net. Accordingly, it shonld
be no eause for surprise that the most elaborate and best book ou
Sawankalok pottery in any language should be Okuda Seiichi's
(.Jl~lll~-) maguificent SonlcoJ·olc~t Zultctn (';jHJliU\lJ!f), Au
Album of Sawankalok.