Research

-Researches on glaze and bisque :

Tests to reproduce glaze and bisque following Khmer Ancestral methods are a base of our research works. They need high precision in the composition, so takes a lot of times. All researches are based on minerals issued from Khmer Antiques kiln sites neighboring. An impressive works about minerals research still to be perform.

A kiln of tests is composed with 300 to 500 samples, each of those samples are composed with a 1/1000 precision. Compose such a kiln needs one week of full time works, with use of a “Roberval” type scale. Unloading (for a first overview) takes 2 to 3 days. Those samples will open ways for research during few years on the different compositions. Unfortunately, by lack of place, only tests with immediate interest are preserved.

-Research about big sizes ceramics technology :

Techniques of big size ceramics fabrication following Khmer Ancestral methods, seems completely lost. We rediscover this technique and practice it in our workshop. Khmer potters and trainees are very surprised by such realizations.

Research is a priority for the NCKCR, revive of Ancestral Khmer methods. Only the understanding of the past will allow us to consider a future for Khmer Ceramics, build on sound bases. We must works on it to offers sustainable development possibilities for Khmer Potters.