Sangkhalok is the name of a type of metallic ceramics, both glazed and unglazed. Sangkhalok ware comes in numerous shapes and forms, such as plates, bowls, pots, boxes, dolls or roof decors, finely decorated with floral, fish, animal, and geometric patterns.
The origin of the name Sangkhalok was cited by some as an erosion of the name of the production site, Si Satchanalai, originally called Sawankhalok during the Ayutthaya Period, while some said it evolved from the word “Song Kolok” meaning the kiln of the Song Kingdom, reflecting the relationship between Sangkhalok ware production and China’s earthenware production.
The Sangkhalok ware production was discovered in both Sukhothai and Si Satchanalai. Sangkhalok kilns (called Tao Thuriang) were largely found in Sukhothai in the area outside of the northern city wall, around Wat Phra Phai Luang. Hundreds of kilns were found in Si Satchanalai, divided into two major groups, as Ban Ko Noi and Ban Pa Yang kiln sites. They were assumed as the major production sites for export by sea in the 20th – 22nd centuries B.E.
Sangkhalok wares of Sukhothai and Si Satchanalai come in several forms, as white porcelain painted in black, brown or jade green wares called celadon, with patterns edged under the glaze.
Earthenware of ceramics production in this area could have started around one thousand years ago, and were revived in the 20th – 22nd centuries B.E. when Sukhothai Kingdom was annexed as a part of the Ayuthaya Empire. This was due to internal problems faced by China, the major producer, during that period, thus opening opportunities for ceramics from the potters’ wheel in Sukhothai and Si Satchanalai to prosper with production accelerated for export both within the present day Thailand, to islands of Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Japan.
The production of Sangkhalok wares represents the use of natural raw material, combined with knowledge, skills and creativity at appropriate period, which makes Sangkhalok ceramics unique works of art and a priced product of Si Satchanalai and Sukhothai up to the present time.