Khmer Ceramics Centre

Travel Location Siem Reap

The Khmer Ceramic Centre in Siem Reap is dedicated to the renaissance and appreciation of the lost art of Khmer ceramics. Khmer ceramics once thrived during the Khmer Empire from 802 to 1432. NCKCR was founded in 2006 to revive the skill and knowledge of this technically challenging and beautiful hand crafted art ...

TOUR OVERVIEW

The Khmer Ceramic & Fine Arts Centre in Siem Reap, Cambodia is dedicated to the renaissance and appreciation of the lost Cambodian art, pottery, ceramics & tableware. The center was founded in 2006 to revive the skill and knowledge of this technically challenging and beautiful hand crafted art form. We propose Contemporary tableware, vases, lavabos,... inspired by Cambodian culture and environment, both functional and decorative. We export our products worldwide.

Khmer Ceramics & Fine Arts Centre was established in 2006. We revive vanished skills and knowledge about traditional Cambodian pottery.

Khmer Ceramics & Fine Arts Centre, formerly known as National Centre for Khmer Ceramics Revival (NCKCR), is an organization aiming to rediscover and reintroduce Khmer ancestral pottery techniques and support the development of contemporary Khmer ceramic art. In the process, the centre creates economic opportunities, helping to decrease poverty in Cambodia. It is located in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Functional, high-fired porcelain and ceramics constitute a significant feature of Khmer cultural heritage. Khmer Ceramics reaching their peak during the Khmer Empire. Today, the renaissance of this art form by Khmer Ceramics & Fine Arts Centre is contributing to the educational, social and economic development of Cambodia in general and disadvantaged communities in particular. Through employing nearly 100 people, providing on-the-job training and opportunities for local families, women and people with disabilities, Khmer Ceramics & Fine Arts Centre ensures that no individual is excluded from this ongoing ceramic art revival.

As the most advanced school and producer of ceramic, pottery and porcelain arts in Cambodia. We aim to showcase Cambodian ceramics through unique pieces. Inspired by the Angkor era as well as offering functional and decorative items that suit contemporary lifestyles through our brand “Saoy” (សោយ).

Our brand is well-known in Cambodia and abroad. “Saoy” (សោយ) is currently used in 25 countries and is rapidly expanding to new markets. Spreading the rich Khmer heritage around the world while providing fair employment to local people.

We are pleased to be able to offer tours of our production centre on the outskirts of Siem Reap for people interested in learning more about our social project and contributing to its future development.

We invite you to explore our pages regarding our inspiring history, production and social project.

International Ceramics Festival

1st international Khmer ceramics festival

The centre organized and held the 1st international ceramics festival from the 11 to 29th of December 2007 in Siem Reap. In order to facilitate exchange with potters from all around the world and will bring together academics and practitioners for the benefit of economically sustainable activities in the region. Conferences occurring during the festival as being held at the CKS Centre for Khmer Study Conference Center at Wat Damnak (Siem reap)[6] Conference theme is ‘’Ancient Khmer and Southeast Asian Ceramics: New Archaeological Findings, Production and the Revival of Techniques’’ A collaboration between the National Center for Khmer Ceramics Revival, Center for Khmer Studies and heritage Watch. AGENDA Thursday, December 13, 2007 Visit to two ancient Khmer sites

Friday, December 14, 2007 Opening of the Conference:Philippe Peycam, Centre Khmer Study Director, & Mr. Serge Rega founder of Khmer Ceramics. Economics of ceramics in Ancient Cambodia and mainland South East Asia. Craft and production in ancient Cambodia and mainland South East Asia. Appraisal, typology and chronology of ancient Khmer ceramics. Chronology of Khmer ceramics. Revitalization of ceramic production in Cambodia. Contemporary ceramic production and slowing the illicit trade of antiquities.

Saturday, December 15, 2007: Visit to the ceramics workshop and ancient kiln reconstruction at the National Center for Khmer Ceramics Revival

2nd international Khmer ceramics festival

Ancient Khmer and Southeast Asian Ceramics: ‘’New Archaeological Findings, Production and the Revival of Techniques’’ From December 10–12, 2008, the 2nd International Conférence, took place at the Centre for Khmer study conference hall in Wat Damnak. The conference was organized in collaboration with Khmer Ceramics ex National Center for Khmer Ceramics (NCKCR), and Heritage Watch, and formed part of the 2nd International Khmer Ceramics Festival which took place shortly afterwards from the 14-29th. The conference was dedicated to Dr. Roxanna Maude Brown, Director of the Southeast Asian Ceramics Museum at Bangkok University, who died on 14 May 2008. Dr. Brown was remembered for her involvement in the kiln reconstruction for the NCKCR, and what remains as the definitive work on the subject, her book, Southeast Asian Ceramics: Their Dating and Identification, published in Singapore, by Oxford University Press in 1988. the conference was organized around two main themes: ‘’new perspectives in understanding ancient ceramics’’, and ‘’the revitalization of ceramic production in Cambodia and Southeast Asia.’’ The objective of the conference was to examine issues surrounding the ‘illicit trade in antiquities, and raise awareness about the archaeological importance of ancient Cambodian and mainland Southeast Asian ceramics, and to highlight the new opportunities for sustainable economic development in the region through the contemporary revival of ancient crafts’.

It brought together Cambodian and International scholars craftsmen, and other specialists of ancient Khmer and Southeast Asian ceramics, all of whom are interested in the revival of ancient techniques. Participants gave papers on a wide range of related topics, ranging from the excavation and conservation of ceramics, using ceramics to understand medieval Khmer daily life, using Radar as a possible method to investigate Medieval Khmer kiln sites, standardization in Khmer ceramics, to technical innovation of khmer ceramics industries and solar ceramic production techniques from antiquity. Other participants presented fascinating papers on contemporary Chinese ceramic arts, ceramics in public places, ceramics process, pottery from the Philippines, and a personal ‘potters’ history.

Centre visit

Perhaps the most interesting thing regarding this centre is that it enables you to get a deeper understanding of traditional and contemporary Khmer ceramic art, including stoneware, raku and salt-glazed wares. Further, you can observe the steps involved in the making of Khmer ceramic items that involve conversion of natural raw materials such as Khmer earth and stone into attractive pieces of art. Best of all, the centre provides the unique opportunity to experience the thrill and intricacy drawn in the creation of ceramic artifacts.

Products

Cambodian handmade ceramics

From the moment you step into the Khmer Ceramic Centre the first thing that you’ll come across is its boutique with its selection of top quality hand-made ceramic items reflecting Khmer art and culture, such as jars, cosmetic bottles, serving bowls, decorative bowls, tableware, oil burners and Khmer accessories. Products are developed using a blend of proven ancient Khmer ceramic production skills and latest techniques based on the research and studies on Khmer antiques. Developed in compliance with European Union regulations, each of the items produced here is as functional as beautiful.

Product Style

Our products are either Khmer Traditional, or Khmer contemporary, inspired by Khmer shapes, nature, culture... All of our Ceramics are made from local natural raw materials; transformation from Khmer earth and stone in to a full finished, fired and glazed Khmer ceramic of beauty and utility.

Product Quality

We offer high temperature stoneware, fired at 1300 C (2400 F). These ceramics are the same quality as porcelain and stronger than faience. Our ceramics (for tableware) are certified as food safe and fully comply with the European Union regulations. Our focus on exacting quality means the product is both robust and dishwasher-micro wave safe. We also use Raku technique for decorative Ceramics.

Activities

Pottery Class
They offer 2-hour classes where you can learn the ancient art of Khmer pottery. You are guided by Khmer potters, and no experience is necessary to create your own ceramic work of art. They will deliver your fired and glazed masterpiece to your place in Siem Reap within 24 hours. Free pick up from your hotel. [9]

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