Historical Background of South Sulawesi
South Sulawesi was the site of several small states, divided between two related ethnic groups, the Makasares and Bugis. Much of South Sulawesi's early history was written in old texts that can be traced back to the 13th and 14th centuries. It was the source of valuable trade products such as gold and spices (nutmegs and cloves which were imported from the neighbouring Spice Islands of Maluku). By the 16th century, Makassar had become Sulawesi's major port and centre of the powerful Gowa and Tallo sultanates. The Makasarese kings maintained a policy of free trade . When the Portuguese reached Sulawesi in 1511, they found Makasar a thriving cosmopolitan entre-port where Chinese, Arabs, Indians, Siamese, Javanese, and Malays came to trade. In 1605 the Gowa King adopted Islam and through a series of campaigns in 1608 - 1611, Islam was imposed in the Bugis- Makasarese region.
By the 17th century, the Dutch was controlling the bulk of the Spice trade but Makasar remained a stiff competitor. They launched a series of campaigns against Makasar since the first half of 17th century but could not captured it. The Dutch finally allied with the Buginese leader, Arung Palakka and defeated Sultan Hasnanuddin of the Gowa Sultanate in 1669. The Indonesian and foreign traders were driven out of Makasar. Although it continued to participate in regional trade as part of the Dutch network of trading ports, it did not regain its past glory as an entreport.
Excavated Ceramics from South Sulawesi
In 1930 excavations at Kampong Pareko, situated between Takalar and Makassar in South Sulawesi uncovered numerous ceramics dating from 12th to 17th Century. It was an ancient dwelling and burial site. The ceramics orginated from China, Thailand and Vietnam. Some Japanese collectors witnessed the excavations and acquired many of the ceramics pieces. Two Japanese ceramics scholars Ito and Kamakura studied the pieces and reported their findings in the Book Nanhai Gu Taoci, ie Nanhai Ancient Ceramics published in 1938.
The ceramics found could be dated to Southern Song to Late Ming Period, ie 12th to 17th century. The majority could be dated to the16th/17th century, which conincided with the golden period of South Sulawesi's role as a internatonal and regional entreport. The types were also similar to those found in ancient dwelling and burial sites in Philippines and Indonesia.
Southern Song/Yuan Period (12th to 14th Century)
Some of the earliest types were celadon dating to 12th century and originated from Fujian and Longquan. They are similar to those found in the Jepara wreck. There were quite a number with carved lotus motif that were made in Fujian or Longquan. The Longquan version is more finely potted and has better glaze. In fact, those types of celadon constituted one of the largest number of Chinese ceramics found in Southeast Asian region during the period.
Fujian celadon from the burial site
There are also many black and brown glaze vessels from the Fujian Cizao kiln.
Another category that were found are white glaze vessels originated from Fujian Dehua kilns. They continued to be exported till the 14th century Yuan period.
The bottom cover box is from the 12th century and also found in the Jepara wreck
Examples in the author's collection
The Jepara shipwreck provides a good survey of the types of export wares from the Southern Song period and quite a few types were found in the Makasar burial sites. For more on the cargo mix of the Jepara wreck, please read this article.
During the 13th/14th period, Longquan celadon wares became a major export item and also well represented in the Makasar burial sites. The vessels types found included jarlets, bowls and dishes. One of the most popular decorative motif is lotus petals on the external wall of bowls and dishes. Applique twin fishes on the interior of dishes is another popular motif.
Some similar examples from the author's collection
Besides Longquan, Fujian celadon and Dehua white glaze vessels with impressed motif were also found in some of the burial sites.
A similar Yuan Fujian celadon jarlet from the author's collection
Ming Period (15th to 17th Century)
During the Ming Hongwu period, Chinese were forbidden from engaging in maritime trade. As a result, during the first half of 15th century, the number of Chinese ceramics that found their way to Southeast Asia were greatly reduced. In fact, ceramics dating to the first half of 15th century were few if any in the Makasar burial sites.
The ban provided a golden opportunity for Vietnam and Thailand to fill the gap and supply ceramics to the region. During the first half of 15th century, Vietnam supplied mainly wares with iron-brown painted motif and brown and celadon wares. However, no example of the Vietnamese Iron-brown vessels was published in the Japanese book. By the second half of 15th century to early 16th century, they were replaced by blue and white wares and small quantity of wares with overglaze red and green decoration . Quite a large number of white glaze bowls with impressed motif were also produced. The Hoi an shipwreck dated to the 2nd half of 15th century carried a large cargo of Vietnamese blue and white and overglaze enamelled wares. Some of the types were found in the burial sites in Makasar.
Similar white glaze bowls from the author's collection
During late 14th Century, Thailand Sukhothai kilns started producing vessels with iron-black motif. Big bowls with fish motif were especially popular. However, no examples were found in the Japanese book. By early 15th century, Sawankhalok kilns started producing celadon wares. Vietnamese blue and white and Thai celadon wares were the most produced export wares till end of 15th century.
Similar Thai celadon big bowls from the author's collection
By the early 16th century, very few Thai celadon were produced. Many Chinese ceramics especially blue and white wares again found their way to Southeast Asia despite the Chinese Imperial Court's continued ban on maritime trade. During the first half of 16th century, the demand for Vietnam and Thailand ceramics dwindled. The only type that was in demand was a newly introduced Sawankhalok iron-black painted decorated wares, especially cover boxes and jarlets. The Singtai and Xuande wreck dated to 1st half of 16th century carried some quantities of such wares. Another new type is ware with brown glaze decoration on white ground. For more on Thai trade ceramics, please read this article.
Similar examples from the author's collection
Example with decoration in brown on white ground in author's collection
Similar jarlets also found in Makasar burial sites
By Ming Hongzhi period, many Chinese Jingdezhen blue and whites made their way to Southeast Asia. By the 16th century Ming blue and white became the dominent export wares. Numerous examples were found in the Makasar burial sites.
A similar Ming Hongzhi blue and white from the author's collection
Similar Ming Blue and white examples from the author's collection
Example with pheonix motif from the author's collection
During the late Ming Jiajing period, Fujian Zhangzhou began exporting blue and white wares to Southeast Asia. Comparatively they are more rough as compared with their Jingdezhen counterparts. In the past they were termed Swatow blue and whites as they were erroneously believed to have been exported from Swatow port. The most distinctive feature of Zhangzhou wares is the sandy adhesion on the outer base of plates and bowls. By Ming Wanli period, they were highly demanded in Southeast Asia and most probably captured the bulk of the blue and white wares market due to their cheaper prices. Their dominent share of the market continued till the end of Ming period. For more on Zhangzhou wares, please read this article.
Example with deer motif from the author's collection
Written by: NK Koh (13 Sep 2014)