Book 04: Chinese Pottery In the Philippines

A lot of collectors of ceramics eschew buying from Ebay because of the high incidence of fraud and forgery.  However, the site can still be a goldmine when it comes to vintage ceramic literature.  A lot of "Out-of-Print" volumes on Oriental ceramics are still available but prices can be expensive. One such book is Spink's Thai Ceramics published by the Siam Society during the 60s which is reasonably priced on Amazon and purchasing one is a good investment move. Any ceramic book for that matter is ipso facto a wise decision. You get to learn the forms, the motifs, the glazes from these books which will give you an added arsenal against fakes and repairs.

Sometimes, a diamond of a book will slip through the cracks.  In this case, I was able to purchase the original volume of Fay-Cooper Cole's "Chinese Pottery in the Philippines" (Field Museum of Natural History, Publication 162, July 1912) for $10. The condition of the publication is remarkable; actually in mint condition.

 
The contents of which is very telling about the colonial (read: American) state of affairs when it came to archaeology, anthropology and collecting.  These Americans had a field day going around the archipelago sourcing ceramics from accidentally discovered burial sites to ceramic jars used by the highland tribes for their ceremonies.  Not so much about the feeding frenzy of the 60s.  This period was so nebulous that if it were not for these intrepid Americans, our view on history would be stuck in Hispanic mud.  

Anyway, this tome is a keeper for all collectors delving into Philippine trade ceramics.  If you can find one, don't let it get away.

I'm sure now all has been looted already.

Download PDF file for easy reading:

https://archive.org/details/cu31924023483559
http://www.jstor.org/stable/29782136