Dish

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Ceramics were produced in some number in the kingdom of Lan Na centered in northern Thailand. More than 200 kilns have been found in the vicinity of Kalong to the east of the Mae Lo River, situated halfway between Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai. Clay in the area is characterized by a high percentage of kaolin producing thinly potted, elegant off-white or buff bodies. Kalong wares are characterized by their freely painted underglaze designs in iron brown. These are often floral or other images drawn from the natural world. The lively decoration on this dish is sometimes termed "black crow," in reference to its abstract resemblance to birds in flight. The Kalong kilns also produced a limited number of pieces with green or celadon glazes.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.

Metropolitan Museum of Art