| Abstract: |
Little was known of the history of Myanmar glazed ceramics prior to discoveries during the past two decades of many production sites, including the greater dimensions of Twante, of the Ayeryarwady (Irrawaddy) River Delta and further upstream, at Mrauk-U in Rakhine (Arakan) State, in Shan State, and in Bago (Pegu). During two field trips in 2014, our finds in Mon and Kayin (Karen) states revealed sites that manufactured Martaban jars, the so-called Green and White wares, and celadon-glazed bowls and dishes. This report focuses on Kaw Don, a site that produced the Green and White class of glazed earthenware ceramics. The search for the sources of the Green and White ceramics began after finds of the previously little-known wares in 1984 in hill-top grave burials along the Thai-Myanmar border. The discovery of kilns that produced Martaban jars answers the long-existing question of where they were manufactured and by whom. These discoveries add to the perception of extraordinary multiplicity and variety in the means of ceramic production in Myanmar and demonstrate remarkable flexibility of potters to create a unique product in a crowded marketplace.
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