Glazed Martaban Vessel

• Made in the kilns of Southern China and from the Khmer Kingdom of Cambodia, martaban jars have been used for centuries for the transport of goods.
• The name refers to the port of Marta Ban in present-day Myanmar, where many of these pieces left on their initial journey.
• In many cultures, particularly in Borneo, martaban jars were passed down through generations as cherished heirlooms, and had a strong spiritual and magical personality.
• This example is covered in a rich celadon glaze with areas of sang de boeuf and undertones of pale blue, with dragon and decorative motifs typical to those of the Ming dynasty.

Collected in Borneo in the 1990s.