COLLECTION
CERAMICS
—————————————————
ELEPHANT VESSEL
 Material:
Tan earthenware with brown glaze
Dimensions: H: 15.7 cm Dia: 17.2 cm
Date: Angkor period?
Provenance: Sras Srang, Angkor (Siem Reap)
Collection: National Museum of Cambodia,
Phnom Penh
H:1230 H:47.35 Kha.1338
This piece exhibits excellent modelling and craftsmanship. It
is a wheel-thrown spherical pot to which a high-relief elephant's
head, four feet and a tail have been added.
The Khmer liked to decorate or shape objects used
in daily life. Most lime pots were shaped in the form of animals
such as birds, frogs, dogs, rabbits and tortoises. The upper part
of each container has an open hole to store the lime.
Lime pots made from bronze always have lids. Perhaps the small ceramic
lime containers also once possessed covers.
The decoration of the elephant’s head reveals
ancient Khmers used to also decorate their domestic animals with
different objects. Usually, they are bells for oxen and buffaloes,
and carpets for elephants. This pot reflects lives deeply associated
with the environment.
|
