A SAWANKHALOK STONEWARE JOS STICK HOLDER IN SHAPE OF A MAN, 15TH–16TH CENTURY
Lot 151 - SING0925

Thailand, Sukhothai province, Si Satchanalai kilns. The finely modeled figure depicts a kneeling monk, his hands raised to chest level, the right grasping the folds of his robe. The facial features are crisply defined, with arched brows, almond-shaped eyes, a straight nose, and closed lips forming a serene expression. His hair is combed back and gathered into a neat bun, encircled by an incised border. The robe, left shoulder bare, flows in gentle folds, with the back decorated in an intricate crosshatched pattern. The warm brown glaze, pooling darker in recesses, lends depth to the surface, while the unglazed base reveals the buff-colored ceramic body. The openings at the shoulder and mouth indicate that the figure was intended for use as a joss stick holder.

Provenance: Private collection of A. Hansen, Denmark. Mr. Hansen (b. 1955) is a retired Danish Supreme Court lawyer and lifelong collector with a deep passion for history and culture. His collecting journey began at the age of eight with stamps, encouraged by his father, and quickly developed into a serious pursuit. By 1982, his specialized collection of Greenland postal history earned international recognition. Following this success, Mr. Hansen turned his focus to fine art and antiquities, beginning with Danish art and later expanding into East and Southeast Asian artifacts after an inspiring Japanese exhibition in 1985. Over the following decades, his collection grew to include mostly ceramic artworks from Annam, Khmer, Burmese, and Thai origins, acquired through reputable collectors and auction houses.
Condition: Overall still good condition, with repaired breakages to the base, extensive wear, and minor chips.

Weight: 460 g
Dimensions: Height 13.5 cm

Literature comparison:
Compare a related Sawankhalok stoneware incense burner in the form of a kneeling woman, dated to the 15th–16th century, held by the Art Gallery of New South Wales, accession no. 88.1989.