Seen Differently, an Anecdote on a Sukhothai Vase

Sometimes you have artifacts which at first you pass over because you see them by their beauty and not by their history. But it takes only a bit of research to change your mind thus, giving such objects a second look. 

A few weeks ago, I spotted this sad looking vase at an antique shop here in my city. It was tucked away at a dark corner with some santos and furniture. I picked it up and looked over it and returned it. It was so plain looking that I felt no collector wanted it. The dealer wanted to dispose it. The dealer said it was included in a cache of diggings that were sold a few months ago. This vase remained unsold.

It must be told that I spend an inordinate amount of time trawling on antique sites and researching Asian ceramics.  I was surprised when browsing at this site, I saw this:

http://maritimeasia.ws/exhib01/pages/p005.html

It turned out that it was indeed a beautiful example of a black iron oxide underglaze ware from the Sukhothai kilns made between the 14th to the 16th centuries. Its base is typical of the Sukhothai clay with heavy potting and a redish buscuit color.

It was so similar to the dealer's vase that I returned immediately to snap it up.  The vase in question was passable enough, a bit chipped on the rim, but the rest were intact. I haggled for the best price and got it for a song.

Acquired for $25