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Sangkhalok, Sukhothai Ceramics

Sangkhalok, Value and Authentic of Phraruang Heritage

History and Trade

"Sangkhalok" is a name used to describe glazed and unglazed stoneware burned at about 1,1501,250 degrees Celsius, which began in the mid-19th century to the early 22nd century. The large source of production was located in the cultural area of the Sukhothai Kingdom.

Based on archaeological evidence discovered, it was believed that Sukhothai craftsmen had the wisdom to create pottery and always tried to improve the quality of the products by experiments, self-learning, and learning from other cultures such as Cambodia, Mon, China, Vietnam, and so on. Finally, it became a recognized identity throughout and outside the kingdom and the production was for trade seriously during the middle to the end of the Sukhothai Kingdom.

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The source of production was located in the city of Sawankhalok (Old), which is now the ancient city of Si Satchanalai; therefore, the name "Sangkhalok" may be the word distorted from "Sawankhalok".

At present, in addition to a lot of Sangkhalok found around the cities of the Sukhothai Kingdom, the source of production was found with many Turieng ancient kilns used to burn Sangkhalok in the areas outside the ancient city of Si Satchanatai in the north, outside the ancient city of Sukhothai in the north, and the Nan River on the north of Phitsanulok. It was believed that Sukhothai and Phitsanulok were trying to expand the production of Sangkhalok to meet the needs of the market. Each source used soil in the area for production resulted in different qualities and there were no other sources of quality as high as those from the city of Sawankhalok.

In ancient times, Sangkhalok had a variety of utility such as wares, accessories, architecture, sculptures, and so on. Sangkhalok were also found on the trade routes such as the mountains in Tak province and found sunk on wrecked ships in the Gulf of Thailand. This is reflected in the efforts to transport for trade. Sangkhalok were also found in foreign countries such as Indonesia, Philippines, and Japan.

The value and identity of the Sangkhalok made this type of handicraft be reintroduced, explored with wisdom to maintain this valuable "heritage of Phra Ruang".

Types of Sangkhalok

Although people often think that Sangkhalok refers to only green glazed with black patterns, but the type of Sangkhalok is divided into many types as follows:

Unglazed Sangkhalok

Antique objects often found were jars or cases containing cremains and buried. They were found to suck in wrecked ships in the sea. They were assumed that the unglazed Sangkhalok were made in the early period. Before developing a burner system and coating solutions, even with the technology to make glazed Sangkhalok, Unglazed Sangkhalok was also found to be produced. They might be used for packaging; therefore, they were found in wrecked ships or might be used in rituals due to the low temperature of burning and texture was not very tough. The prices might not be high and they were commonly sold.

Glazed Sangkhalok

Chinaware and Vietnam pottery were discovered in the city of Sukhothai. It was believed that culture and wisdom were always transmitted among people in this region. It might lead to learning how to glaze pottery from China or Vietnam and trying to improve the quality and process of the coating, resulting in beautiful colors of Sangkhalok such as the white glazing of containers, small sculptures, and architectural accessories, as well as a lot of pottery with green was found and there were varied shades, and the black glazing as well. The color recognized as gorgeous and unique until the present is turquoise and there was the development of this color on containers. In addition, Sukhothai craftsmen also used the methods of scratching or scraping soil and put it on the surface of the containers before glazing for beautiful and outstanding appearances.

Sangkhalok-style glaze patterns

The delicate patterns reflecting the lively way of life of the past were one of the symbols of Sangkhalok. These patterns were influenced by China and Vietnam, as well as glazing. Sukhothai craftsmen improved the minerals in the water to paint patterns to suit the local, using the oxide of the iron which was abundant in the area as the composition. This might be from the soil, making the patterns of the Sangkhalok black or dark brown, not light blue like China or Vietnam pottery.