Ceramic Vessels 

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Import restricted since 2003.

Section III of Designated List in force since 2008.

III. Ceramics
Bronze and Iron Age ceramics are primarily earthenwares with varying colors and surface treatments. Later ceramics include both glazed and unglazed stonewares. Stonewares, and particularly glazed wares, are characteristic of the Angkorian period (9th-14th c.). Khmer ceramics production primarily concerned functional vessels (vases, pots, etc.) but also included sculpture of figurines and architectural or other decorative elements. Angkorian period vessels were generally turned on a wheel and fired in kilns. Vessels range in size from around five to at least 70 cm. in height. Glaze colors are fairly limited and include creamy white, pale green (color of Chinese tea), straw-yellow, reddishbrown, brown, olive, and black. Light colors are generally glossy, while darker colors can be glossy or matte. Some two-colored wares, primarily combining pale green and brown, are also known. Decoration is relatively subtle, limited to incisions of graphic designs crisscrosses, striations, waves, etc.), some sculpted decor such as lotus petal shapes, and molding (ridges, grooves, etc.); some applied work is also seen. Most decoration is found on shoulders and necks, as on lids; footed vessels are typically beveled at the base. Many wasters (imperfect pieces) are found and are also subject to illicit trade.
A. Sculpture
Ceramic sculpture known to have been produced in Cambodia proper largely concerns Architectural elements. Though some figurines are known and are of notable refinement, statuary and reliefs in ceramics seem to be more characteristic of provincial production.
1. Architectural Elements. Some pre-Angkorian, Angkorian, and postAngkorian period buildings, primarily but not exclusively royal or upper-class habitation, were roofed with ceramic tiles. The tiles include undecorated flat tiles and convex and concave pieces fitted together; a sculpted tile was placed as a decor at the end of each row of tiles. These pieces were produced in molds and can be unglazed or glazed. The unglazed pieces are orange in color; the glazed pieces are creamy white to pale green. Spikes placed at the crest of roof vaults can also be made in ceramics. These spikes were fit into a cylinder, also made of ceramics, which was itself fitted into the roof vault. Architectural ceramics sometimes have human heads and anthropomorphic or zoomorphic features.
2. Figurines and Ritual Objects. Figurines, statuettes, or plaques can include human, hybrid (part-human, part-animal), and animal figures. These are typically small in size (around 10 cm.). Ritual objects found in Cambodia proper are limited primarily to pieces in the shape of a conch shell, used for pouring sacral water or as blowing horns.
B. Vessels
1. Lidded Containers. Examples include round lidded boxes with incised or sculpted decoration, bulbous vases with lids, and jars with conical multi-tiered lids. Lids themselves include conical shapes and convex lids with knobs.
2. Lenticular Pots. Pots of depressed globular form are commonly referred to as lenticular pots. The mouth of the vessel is closed with a stopper.
3. Animal-shaped Pots. The depressed globular form can take animal shapes, with applied animal head, tail, or other body parts that can serve as handles. The animal-shaped pot is also found in other forms. Animal-shaped pots often contain remains of white lime, a substance used in betel nut chewing. Shapes include bulls, elephants, birds, horses, and other four-legged creatures.
4. Human-shaped Pots. Anthropomorphic vessels often have some applied and incised decoration representing human appendages, features, or clothing. The vessels are usually gourd-shaped bottles.
5. Bottles. This category includes a number of different kinds of vessels with raised mouths.
6. Vases. A number of different types of vases are grouped together under this general heading. Some are flat based and bulbous or conical. Others have pedestal feet. Some are characterized by their elongated necks. The “baluster vases,” for which Khmer ceramics are particularly known, have pedestal feet, conical bodies, relatively long necks, and flared mouths.
7. Spouted Pots. These are vessels, usually in the “baluster vase” form, that have short pouring spouts attached to the shoulder. Some spouted pots also have ring handles on the opposite shoulder.
8. Large Jars. Large barrel-shaped jars or vats have flat bases, wide mouths, short necks, and flattened everted rims. They are always iron glazed.
9. Bowls. Bowls with broad, flat bases and flaring walls that are either straight or slightly concave, ending in plain everted or incurving rims, usually have green or yellowish glaze, although some brown-glazed bowls are known. Some are decorated with incised lines just below the rim. Most have deep flanges above the base; some are plain. Small hemispherical cups on button bases bear brown glaze. Another form is the bowl on a pedestal foot.

For import restrictions in force from 2003, see History of Import Restrictions below.

Example shown: Water jar, late Angkor period