Historical Development

A. Prehistoric wares

Prehistoric earthenware vessels were closely linked with the ceremonial and ritualistic customs of the people. Whole and broken pieces found in burials have produced valuable information bout the sociological aspects of the early inhabitants of the region.
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B. Historic wares

Little is known about the development of earthenware in Southeast Asia in the early historic period. It is likely that a common type of utilitarian ware was made throughout the region since similar shards from this period have been found in Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. A comparison of shape, method of potting, and decoration of the few reported finds, indicates that vessels continued to be made in the prehistoric tradition.
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C. Kendi

The kendi, an upright bottle-like vessel with a spout on the shoulder, is closely associated with the culture of Southeast Asia, where it has been used as a utilitarian and ritualistic vessel since at least the eighth century. Its origin is unknown but etymology suggests India as a source. "Kendi", a Malay word, is a derivative o "kundika", a Sanskrit word meaning "water pot". Local variations of the term "kendi" are used in Malaysia and Indonesia today. Even though the terms are related, it is uncertain whether or not the kundika was a prototype for the kendi because their functions differ. Both are designed to be filled from the larger opening and poured from the smaller opening but the positions of the opening are reversed on the two vessels. The kundika is filled from the spout and paired from the mouth while the kendi is filled from the mouth and poured from the spout. It seems like that the kendi originated in India was transmitted to Southeast Asia and China by traders and religious leaders in the early years of the Christian era.
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D. Glazed

Once the kiln technology for firing stoneware was acquired, the transition from unglazed to glazed ware was a progression which probably evolved from both experimentation and the unexpected results of kiln firing. The earliest glaze was most likely a natural occurrence when ash, from the wood used as fuel in the kiln, fell on the upper surface of a piece during firing. The ash melted and fused with the vessel forming a glaze, or glass-like covering.
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E. Imported wares

Glazed wares for daily use have been imported into Southeast Asia first and foremost from China, then later, and to a lesser extent, from Japan, for at least 1,000 years. Although trade was carried on between China and Southeast Asia in the early centuries of the Christian era, Chinese ceramics were not traded in the region until the tenth century. Chinese records of the thirteenth century report ceramics being exported to areas today known as Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. Prior to this, the impetus for trade probably came from the Chinese who arrived in the region in search of luxury goods, such as ivory, rhinoceros horn, tortoise shell, spices, pearls, and exotic woods like sandalwood. Later the initiative was most likely reversed when the people of Southeast Asia were attracted to the high-quality glazed wares of China.
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F. Contemporary wares

Small village workshops are situated throughout the region producing unglazed earthenware for domestic use, the greatest number of ceramic centers being located in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, in addition to utilitarian pottery, factories in these countries now produce high-quality copies of antique Asian glazed ceramics which are sold both locally and exported.