A Classification of Ceramics Discovered in Kampung Senangeh, Samarahan, Sarawak.


 

THE SARAWAK MUSEUM JOURNAL
VOL LXX NO.91 DECEMBER 2012

 
 
Title : 
A Classification of Ceramics Discovered in Kampung Senangeh, Samarahan, Sarawak.

Author : 
Jonathan Ko and Stephen Chia

Abstract:
Kampung Senangeh is an Iban settlement situated on the bank of Sadong River and near to its estuary in Asajaya District, Samarahan Division, Sarawak (Fig 1). This small village consists of a few modern Iban longhouses with a population of about 260 people. According to our chief informant, Penghulu Pawi anak Sidi ( pers. comm., 17th April, 2011), a hoard of ceramics was serendipitously discovered by several villagers while they were digging a well behind their longhouse on18th September,1996.All the ceramics were recovered from a small pit, measuring about 2.3 metres long, 2.4 metres wide and 1.2 metres deep (Fig. 2). However, no written report was made but it is believed that the finds probably belonged to an old longhouse which was built there in the 1880s. The Sarawak Museum Department was only notified in 1997 about the ceramic finds, and they managed to acquire about 138 pieces of the ceramics, including 126 complete pieces and a small number of sherds (Fig.3). All the ceramics are now kept at the Sarawak Museum’s storage facility in Sekama, Kuching. This study is the first attempt to identify and to classify the ceramics recovered from Kampung Senangeh. 125 out of the 126 intact or complete ceramic pieces were examined and classified in this study. The complete forms included 54 jars (52 of them are four-handle jars), 26 dishes (9 of them with twin-fish design; 16 are plain and one with single fish design); 22 bowls, three ewers,nine jarlets, five bottles, two plates, two cups, one basin and one covered box (Chin, 1977; 1988). A large celadon plate with the flying dragon design, jarlets with the ice-crack pattern, and dishes with the twin-fish design are among the most unique ceramic pieces from the Senangeh finds.

DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61507/smj22-2012-2VB8-11


How to cite:
Jonathan Ko and Stephen Chia. (2012). A Classification of Ceramics Discovered in Kampung Senangeh, Samarahan, Sarawak. The Sarawak Museum Journal, LXX (91): 183-198

References
  1. Chin, Lucas. 1969. A Progress Report on Archaeological Work at Gedong (1967- 1969). The Sarawak Museum Journal Vol. XVII Nos. 34-35: 81-88.
  2. Chin, Lucas. 1977. Trade Pottery Discovered in Sarawak from 1948 to 1976. The Sarawak Museum Journal Vol. XXV No. 46: 1-7.
  3. Chin, Lucas. 1988. Ceramics in the Sarawak Museum. Sarawak Museum Department.
  4. Feng Xian Ming. 1990. The exportation of ancient Chinese ceramics. The Palace Museum Journal 02. 11-13.
  5. Feng Xian Ming. 1996. Chinese ceramics excavated in Malaysia, Thailand and Philippines. The identification of ancient ceramics, 319-323.
  6. Feng Xian Ming. 1996. Chinese ceramics excavated in Malaysia, Thailand and Philippines. The identification of ancient ceramics, 319-323.
  7. Li Zhi Yan. 2011. Identification of Song-Yuan Ceramic. Graphic Communications Press.
  8. Lu Yaw, Feng Xian Ming & Mary Tregear. 1983. Song Ceramics. Singapore: Southeast Asian Ceramic Society.

 

 

 
 

Copyright © 2021 Sarawak Museum Department
Last Updated On 20 Dec 2024

Operating Hours (Main Office)

Monday - Thursday
8.00am to 1.00pm & 2.00pm to 5.00pm

Friday
8.00am to 11.45pm & 2.00pm to 5.00pm

Saturday, Sunday, Public Holiday
Counter Closed
image Polls
image Announcement