Si Satchanalai Figurines: Reconstruction of Ancient Daily Life, Beliefs, and Environment in Siam during the Sixteenth Century

Abstract

The Si Satchanalai figurines and ceramics applied with figurines in various shapes of humans and animals were one type of ceramics produced especially in the sixteenth century at the Si Satchanalai kilns located in Si Satchanalai city under the territorial control of the Sukhothai and the Ayutthaya Kingdoms which foreigners recorded the name of this region as “Siam.” They represent the mixed culture that came along with the unofficial and official foreign relations on politics and trade. Indian, Khmer, Lanna, Chinese Yuan and Ming, and Vietnamese arts and cultures were transmitted to Siam and became to be the important sources of inspiration for the local potters to create figurines and other forms of ceramic objects. The local daily life diet supplies, relationships in community, social organization, neighborhoods, activities, occupations and environments were other important sources of inspiration for the local potters.