Ceramics in Mainland Southeast Asia

Wang Nua kilns

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The kilns of the Wang Nua group lie along the Wang River in Chiang Rai province. John Shaw groups them with the various clusters of Kalong kilns, but on the basis of geography, it seems reasonable to consider them as two separate entities associated with different centers of population. Despite being in close proximity to one another, the sites are separated by high hills and thus lie within different modern districts and along different river systems. The Lao River flows north to the Mekong, while the Wang flows south into the Chao Phraya.

The Wang Nua kilns used only celadon glaze, and the ware is distinct from the celadon made at kilns within the Kalong system. The clay body is thicker and sturdier, and the color of the green glaze is more intense. This may result in part from a somewhat earlier date of activity than the Kalong kilns, and from reference to an earlier style of celadon from Chinese kilns. Many Wang Nua dishes are distinguished by fluted "pie crust" edges on their broad, everted rims.