Project 2. Exploration on Ceramic in Cambodia (Semester 2, 20162017)

EXPLORATION ON CERAMIC MATERIALS, THE MAKING
CAMBODIA
PROCESS AND PRESERVATION TECHNIQUES
PROJECT 2
AIDO
C B
MA
LECTURER : ASST. PROF. DR. SHAMZANI AFFENDY MOHD DIN
DEPARTMENT OF APPLIED ART & DESIGN
KULLIYYAH OF ARCHITECTURE & ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN
AAD 3200 CONSERVATION, SEMESTER 2, 2015/2016
NURUL AQILA AHAMAD KAMAL 1412832
PRESENTED ON: 3RD APRIL 2017 (WEEK 9: MONDAY)
1

Contents
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Ceramic
2.0 Background History: Cambodia
2.1 History of Cambodia
2.2 Culture of Cambodia
2.3 Timeline of Ceramic in Cambodia
3.0 Materials and Tools Pottery Making
3.1 Materials for Pottery Making
3.2 Tools of for Pottery Making
4.0 Methods & Techniques for Pottery Making
5.0 Detail Research: Case Study Pottery Motif in
Cambodia
6.0 Application of Stone Carving in Cambodia
7.0 Case Study on Conservation and Restoration of
Ceramic
8.0 Conclusion
9.0 References
CONTENTS
2

1.0 INTRODUCTIONEXPLORATION ON CERAMIC MATERIALS, THE MAKING
PROCESS AND PRESERVATION TECHNIQUES
3

• The word “ceramic”
means “land potter”,
“clay”.
• An object made from
clay, suffered
irreversible
physicochemical
transformation during its
high temperature cooking.
INTRODUCTION CERAMIC1.0
Fig 1. Clay making.
Source: Hcalkins (2013) 4

DOMESTIC CERAMICS:
Mainly pottery and
tableware.
We can distinguish three categories of
ceramics:
1
Fig 2. Ceramic cups.
Source: Kick Style (2012)
5

THE-ART CERAMICS:
Which neglects the utility
function to focus on the
decorative value.
ceramics:
2
Fig 3. Chris Antemann - 'Topiary'.
Source: Kick Style (2012)
6

TECHNICAL CERAMICS:
With new properties is
particularly developed in the
twentieth century, they are
found in medical- applications,
sanitary, industrial or
electronics.
ceramics:
3
Fig 4. Advanced technical ceramics.
Source: Kick Style (2012)7

2.0 CAMBODIA
The BACKGROUND HISTORY and the CULTURE.
8

• Cambodia is a country in Southeast Asia that
borders the Gulf of Thailand.
• Neighbouring countries include Laos, Thailand,
and Vietnam.
CAMBODIAHISTORY2.0
Capital PHNOM PENH
Land Area 181,035 sq.km
Population 13.81 Million (2006 est.)
Language Khmer
Currency Riel (US$1 = 4000 Riels)
Major Export
Products
Garments/Textile Product, Sawn Wood
Furniture and Rubber
Major
Industries
Textiles and Garments, Beverage, Food
Processing, Wood Processing
Head of
State
His Majesty Samdech Preah Baromneath
Norodom Sihamoni
9

CAMBODIAHISTORY2.0
Fig 5. Flag of Cambodia
Source: World Maps (2013)
10

CAMBODIAHISTORY2.0
• Cambodia, which is physically located in
Southeast Asia, covers an area of 181,035
sq km (69,898 sq mi).
• Cambodia is a member of the
Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN).
• Total population is 13, 81 million. Ninety
percent of residents are Khmer, and the
remnants of these are Chinese, Vietnamese,
Indian, Thai, Phnorng, Kuoy, Stineng, Tamil, etc.
11

CAMBODIAHISTORY2.0
Fig 6. Location Cambodia ASEAN. Location of Cambodia (green), in ASEAN (dark grey).
Source: ASDFGHJ (2009)12

CAMBODIAHISTORY2.0
Fig 7. Provincial Boundaries in Cambodia
Source: NIRVn (2014)13

CAMBODIAHISTORY2.0
• Theravada Buddhism is the official
prevailing religion in Cambodia, and
approximately ninety percent of the
population is Buddhists.
• The most important cultural symbol is the
ancient Khmer temple Angkor Wat, along
with the ancient Khmer Empire and its
monumental antiquities.
• The country also has minority religions such as Islam, Hinduism
and Christianity which Muslims, Hindus and Christians believe in.
14

CAMBODIAHISTORY2.0
Fig 8. Towers of Angkor Wat
Source: Lonely Planet (2011)
15

CAMBODIAPOTTERY2.0
• Cambodian pottery traditions date to 5000
BCE.
• Ceramics were mostly used for domestic
purposes such as holding food and water.
• Many pieces are hand-turned and fired on
an open fire without glaze.
• The country's major center for pottery is
Kompong Chhnang Province
16

CAMBODIAHISTORY2.0
Fig 9. Kampong Chhnang Independence Monument
Source: Local City (2010)
17

TIMELINECAMBODIA’SPOTTERY2.0
• Some of the earliest Khmer pottery remains found in
the country date back to 5000 BCE. However, the
ceramics of the Khmer empire are believed to have
started being produced in the 9th Century.
• The ceramics are of extremely good quality and
were produced in high volumes during the 11th
and 12th centuries, especially around the kilns at
Mout Kulen near Angkor.
• Unfortunately, because of the destruction of central
government control and increasingly chaotic
conditions, production of Khmer ceramics ceased by
the end of 13th Century.
18

TIMELINECAMBODIA’SPOTTERY2.0
19

3.0 MATERIALs & TOOLs
For POTTERY MAKING in CAMBODIA.
20

MATERIALSMAKINGPOTTERY3.1
• Phnom Dey Meas: Literally translates as gold/golden
earth mountain.
• This is the source of most of the clay used in the area
for making the ancient traditional Khmer cooking
stove fire boxes, Chongkran, and the many designs
of low fired traditional cooking pots.
• Digging the clay: Each pot-making family has its
own “claim” and works/excavates its clay by digging
in to the mountain.
This is dangerous work and because cave-ins occur excavation of clay is
usually only undertaken during the dry season when the ground is more
stable. The dry season is also the most productive pot production time as
the women are not engaged in rice planting/harvesting duties away from
the home.
21

4.0 METHOD & TECHNIQUES
For POTTERY MAKING in CAMBODIA.
24

METHODSMAKINGPOTTERY4.1
• Khmer potters used two potting techniques:
1. The pottery wheel on which the clay pot is thrown.
A potter's wheel is a machine used in the shaping of
round ceramic ware (known as throwing) where
pottery was handmade by methods that included
coiling and beating.
Fig 10. Pottery Wheel.
Source: Khmer Potter (2016)25

METHODSMAKINGPOTTERY4.1
• Khmer potters used two potting techniques:
2. Paddle and Anvil Technique
Paddle and Anvil technique is where the clay was
shaped by pounding it between two objects, the
anvil held on one hand and a paddle in the other
Fig11. The bowl-shaped base is paddled
against a stone anvil held on the inside
of the vessel. Paddling consolidates the
clay and thins the vessel walls.
Source: Beyond History (2005)
26

TECHNIQUESMAKINGPOTTERY4.2
• There are five steps process of pottery
making in Cambodia:
STEP ONE: PREPARATION OF THE CLAY
1. Preparation of
the Clay
2. Moulding the
clay
3. Biscuit
4. Glazing
5. Final Firing
• The clay is transferred into vats or large
traditional pots filled with water. This allows all
the sediment, such as leaves and stones, to sink
and settle at the bottom of the vase.
• The cleansed clay is then wrapped in cloth
bags and hung, to allow the water to drain
naturally. When needed, the clay is then
removed from the bag and further dried under
the sun.
27

STEP ONE: PREPARATION OF THE CLAY
Fig 13. The cleansed clay is then wrapped in cloth bags.
Source: Nom Living (2016)
Fig 12. Traditional
pots filled with water.
Source: Nom Living
(2016)
28

making in Cambodia:
STEP TWO: MOULDING THE CLAY
1. Preparation of
the Clay
2. Moulding the
clay
3. Biscuit
4. Glazing
5. Final Firing
• Three different types of clay are kneaded
together to create a mix that has the correct
concentration and consistency for shaping.
• The clay mix is then moulded by hand or
thrown by the artisan on a potters wheel to our
design.
29

STEP TWO: MOULDING THE CLAY
Fig 14. The mould were put onto the potters wheel to do the design.
30

making in Cambodia:
STEP THREE: BISCUIT
1. Preparation of
the Clay
2. Moulding the
clay
3. Biscuit
4. Glazing
5. Final Firing
• The shaped clay is then left to dry, in
preparation for its first firing. Once ready
these are placed into a low temperature
Wood Burning Kiln.
• When the temperature reaches 800 degrees
C, the kiln is sealed with bricks to maintain this
temperature. The moulded clay is then fired for
up to 12 hours, this is called biscuit firing.
31

STEP THREE: BISCUIT
Fig 15. After done designing, the moulded clay is then fired for up to 12 hours.
32

making in Cambodia:
STEP FOUR: GLAZING
1. Preparation of
the Clay
2. Moulding the
clay
3. Biscuit
4. Glazing
5. Final Firing
• Our natural glazes are obtained from
mountain stones and charcoal ash. This is
ground into a fine powder, then filtered with
water for 4 weeks, to remove any sediment or
acidity.
• Once ready, the powders are mixed together
along with water in varying amounts, to create
the differing shades. The biscuit fired pottery is
then dipped into the glaze and left to dry for
four hours.
33

STEP FOUR: GLAZING
Fig 16. The biscuit fired pottery is then dipped into the glaze and left to dry for four hours.
34

making in Cambodia:
STEP FIVE: FINAL FIRING
1. Preparation of
the Clay
2. Moulding the
clay
3. Biscuit
4. Glazing
5. Final Firing
• The dipped pottery will then be placed into a gas
fired kiln, at extreme high temperatures of up to
1200 ºc, for a further 12 hours. The melted glaze
will have reacted to the clay, to create a unique
effect.
• After the firing, the pottery would be left in the kiln
to cool for a further 12 hours. The twice fired clay
has now reduced in size by almost 25%, requiring
the artisan to maintain a high level of planning and
accuracy during the entire process.
35

STEP FIVE: FINAL FIRING
Fig 18. The finished pottery
Fig 17. The dipped pottery will then be
placed into fired kiln.
36

5.0 CASE STUDY
MOTIF in POTTERY MAKING in CAMBODIA.
37

MOTIF5.0 IN CAMBODIA POTTERY
• The leaves of the lotus are completely dirt- and
water-repellent which led to the reputation as a
symbol of purity, fidelity, creativity and
enlightenment.
• Quite common around Cambodia, the Lotus Flower
is usually used to decorate homes and as
offerings.
• Cambodian only used one motif in their pottery
making which is lotus.
• Even in mythology of the Khmer times and the
kingdom of Cambodia the flower is of special
importance. Numerous reliefs in Angkor show
evidence of Apsara dancers on lotuses.
38

39
Fig 19. Lotus Flower
Source: Verbosa (2015)
Fig 20. Aksara Dancer.
Source: Verbosa (2015)

40
Fig 21. Lotus Flower Shaped Vase
Source: Aksara (2014)
Fig 22. Lotus Motif on Pottery Cup.
Source: Aksara (2014)

41

SIMPLE MOTIF5.1 CAMBODIA POTTERY
• The vase are usually unglazed.
• There is ribbed decoration at the base of
the neck.
• The body usually adorned with simple
floral motif which is lotus motif.
• An elegant form with rounded body,
tapering neck and flared top.
42

SIMPLE MOTIF5.1 CAMBODIA POTTERY
Fig 23. Carved Angkor Area Vase
Source: Angkor Pottery Centre (2014)
Fig 25. Angkor AreaVase.
Fig 24. This Angkor Area vase was
made in a woodfired kiln.
Source: Angkor Pottery Centre (2014) 43

MODERATE MOTIFCAMBODIA5.2
• Some unique Khmer features such as the
multi-tier knobs and mouth.
• Usually have 2 pieces put together and
have a supporter under the vase.
• The body usually were carved with floral
motif which is lotus.
44

Fig 26. A traditional Cambodian
wedding gift.
Fig 27. A lit candle placed under the
carved cover.
45

Fig 28. Khmer Offering Pot.
Fig 29. Khmer Box.
46

COMPLEX MOTIFCAMBODIA5.3
• Unique Khmer pots in animal form.
• The zoomorphic forms included
elephant, owl, human face, cat,
rabbit, wild boar and etc.
• Both light green and dark brown glaze
types were produced.
47

COMPLEX MOTIFCAMBODIA
Fig 30. Khmer pottery of smiling man sitting on a
friendly looking dragon, holding his cupped hands
out in a blessing.
5.3
Fig 31. Elephant shape vase which has scenario on its body.
48

COMPLEX MOTIFCAMBODIA5.3
Fig 32. Bird-looking shape of vase which has
leaf motif on its body.
Fig 33. Lime-paste Jar In Form Of A Rabbit, With Lid
Stoneware with iron pigment under wood-ash glaze .
49

6.0 APPLICATION
PRODUCT in POTTERY MAKING in CAMBODIA.
50

APPLICATIONPOTTERY6.0
OLD APPLICATION - TILES
Fig 34. Ancient Ceramic Tiles.
Fig 35. Apsara Tiles.
51

OLD APPLICATION - VASE
Fig 36. Bottle (neck missing) with unrelated
lid 11th-12th century Angkor period
Stoneware with wood-ash and iron glazes H:
23.6 W: 9.1 D: 16.1 cm Cambodia.
Fig 37. Jar in the Shape of a Fruit, 1100s
Cambodia, 12th Century.
Source: Angkor Pottery Centre (2014)52

OLD APPLICATION - JEWELRY
Fig 38. Woman's Ring.
Fig 39. Earring & Necklace set.
53

OLD APPLICATION – OIL BURNER
Fig 41. Unglazed oil burner.
Fig 40. This oil
burner was buried
for years before
being fired, giving
the piece the look of
an ancient artifact.
Source: Angkor
Pottery Centre
(2014)
54

MODERN – VASE & CUP
Fig 42. Elephant Mug
Source: Khmer Ceramics (2016)
Fig 43. Lotus Green Vase.
55

MODERN APPLICATION - CANDLE
Fig 45. Oil Burner Electric Tchintcho .
Fig 44. Oil Burner Gecko.
56

7.0 CONSERVATION
in POTTERY MAKING and PRESERVATION TECHNIQUES
.
57

RESTORATIONCERAMIC7.0
• Over-restoration leads to a false impression of
a pot, so we are careful when reassembling
pottery to make restoration clearly
distinguishable from the original and to use
adhesives which have good aging properties,
are reversible, and will show little color change
as they age.
58
• Sometimes "gap fill" materials are required to
provide structural stability - without these added
materials the reassembled pot cannot be
handled safely.
‘Gap Fill’ : Epoxy

59
1. A pottery shred should always be held on at
least two edges.
2. Fill materials must be reversible and isolated
from the original pottery fabric.
3. Fills should be appear different from the
original pottery fabric both under visible light
examination and when the pot is x-rayed.
• In this case we adopt 3 basic principles:
‘In general, for low-fired archaeological pottery
use a cellulose-modified gypsum filler such as
Polyfilla, often applied over a support mesh.’

ANCIENT POTTERY VESSEL RESTORATION
• This antique vessel came to the restoration studio
in a very bad broken state.
• The owner, a collector from Italy, informed that it
was a classical antiquity.
• The vessel needed to be restored and yet retain
it's age and time “scars.”
• All cemented lines needed to be grooved to then
be filled with a hard and porous material.
60

Fig 46. Very broken
ancient vessel.
Source: Lake Side
Pottery (20162)
BEFORE
61

Fig 47. Antique pot top
part cemented.
Fig 48. Antique pot
bottom part cemented.
Source: Lake Side
Pottery (2012)
Fig 50. Reenforcement
coating on the inside.
Fig 51. Attached bottom
and top parts.
Fig 49. Inside wall of
ancient pot parts glued .
Fig 52. Filler and stain tests.
Source: Lake Side Pottery (2012)
1
4
2 3
5 6
62

Fig 53. Mix natural
pigments with filler.
Fig 56. Filler sanded down.
Fig 54. One piece is
missing.
Fig 57. Filler stain
layering coloring tutorial.
Fig 55. Missing piece made
out of fired clay.
7 8 9
10 11
63

Fig 58. Very broken
ancient vessel.
Source: Lake Side Pottery
(20162)
Fig 59. Completed restoration.
BEFORE
AFTER
64

8.0 CONCLUSION
in POTTERY MAKING in CAMBODIA
.
65

CONCLUSION8.0
• In Cambodia, most of the pottery were made into earthenware,
which mostly were used for domestic purpose such as holding
food and water.
• The motif carved are usually simple and most of the motif are
based on floral design.
• However, between the 11th and 13th centuries, the making of
ceramic on the shapes of animals like birds, elephants, rabbits,
and other animals were popular.
• In rural Cambodia, traditional pottery methods remained. Many
pieces are hand-turned and fired on an open fire without glaze.
• In modern Cambodia, the art of glazed ceramics faded into
oblivion: the technique of stoneware stop to be used around 14th
century, at the end of Angkor era.
• Today this technique begin a slow revival through a Belgian
ceramist who founded the Khmer Ceramics & Fine Arts Center, in
Siem Reap, the organization lead vocational training and
researches regarding this lost skill.66

9.0 REFERENCES
in POTTERY MAKING in CAMBODIA
.
67

REFERENCES9.0
• Finlay, R. (2010). The Pilgrim Art: Cultures of Porcelain in World History.
Berkeley, CA: University of California Press.
• Sarjeant, C. (2014). Contextualising the neolithic occupation of
Southern Vietnam: the role of ceramics and potters at An Son.
Canberra, A.C.T.: ANU Press.
• Stark, M. T., Evans, D., Rachna, C., Piphal, H., & Carter, A. (2015).
Residential patterning at Angkor Wat. Antiquity, 89(348), 1439-1455.
doi:10.15184/aqy.2015.159
• Ancient Pottery Vessel Restoration. (2012). Retrieved April 01, 2017,
from http://www.lakesidepottery.com/Pages/Pottery-tips/ancient-
pottery-repair-and-restoration-studio.html
• Ceramic & Pottery Tools & Supplies. (2014). Retrieved April 01, 2017,
from http://www.bigceramicstore.com/tools-supplies.html
• How It's Made: Journey To The Ceramic Source. (2016). Retrieved April
01, 2017, from https://nomliving.com/blogs/thingswedo/journey-to-
the-ceramic-source
68

Project 2. Exploration on Ceramic in Cambodia (Semester 2, 20162017)

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