Elephant Jar

In 1985, an extraordinary green-glazed Khmer handmade elephant jar, featuring very fine ritual details, was discovered at a site near Khao Din Tok, in what was once the Khmer Empire and is now northeastern Thailand. This jar is currently part of the collection at the Southeast Asian Ceramics Museum in Rangsit, Bangkok. The museum was established to serve as a learning center for ancient works of art, a research hub, and a space to display highly valuable cultural artifacts that Southeast Asian people take pride in.

The jar, dated between the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, is unprecedented in Khmer ceramic history. Its exceptionally large size and elaborate decoration are rare characteristics, making it a fine example of the creativity and skillful workmanship of Khmer potters. Remarkably, the jar remains in pristine condition despite being buried underground for at least 800 years.

A reproduction of this jar was created for the 2008 international conference on Khmer Ceramic Arts to support Dr. Dawn Rooney’s presentation in memory of the curator of the Southeast Asian Ceramics Museum. The reproduction is made to the original size. The lively and whimsical decoration of this jar is characteristic of Khmer wares produced during that period. Each piece is entirely handmade, making it unique and non-reproducible. The base of the elephant is a jar hand-thrown on a potter’s wheel, while the head, paws, tail, and decorative elements are applied during the drying process. The jar is then meticulously hand-carved over several days.

The creation of such a piece using ancestral techniques demonstrates complete mastery of ceramic processes. The green glaze used is a result of research conducted by the Khmer Ceramics Centre into ancient Khmer glazes, with firing temperatures reaching 1300°C (2400°F).