Preliminary Study of Vietnamese Decorated Tiles Found in Java, Indonesia (1)
Resource
國立台灣大學美術史研究集刊,25,131-170
Journal
國立臺灣大學美術史研究集刊
Journal Volume
無
Journal Issue
25
Pages
131-170+274
Date Issued
2008
Author(s)
坂井隆
Abstract
To date, Vietnamese decorated tiles have been found overseas only on the island of Java, in Indonesia, at sites such as the Trowulan archaeological site and the Great Mosque of Demak. These tiles were made using the blue and white technique of Vietnamese ceramic manufacturing under glazed iron and polychrome, but their forms are quite different from those commonly found in the Vietnamese and Chinese traditions of flooring tiles. The variety of shapes, including stepped crosses, cartouche-efforts, quatrefoils, and hexagonal styles, suggests a relationship with designs commonly used for Islamic decorated tiles.For a long time, tiles from Trowulan were only known through the antique market trade. However, in 2007 reliable information on recoveries made at the site finally became available, following the publication of a report on ceramic shard artifacts by Marie-France Duppizat and Naniek Harkantiningsih. In 1989 John Guy published an important study of Vietnamese tiles based on antique data, and Mayuyama Yasuhiko 繭山康彥documented his findings from research at the Great Mosque of Demak in 1977; however, I consider that a study of Duppizat / Naniek is a worthwhile project, since real archaeological data is now available on objects found at this site.As the first step in my exploration of the origins and function of the Vietnamese tiles found at Trowulan I attempt, in this paper, to establish a preliminary classification by combining detailed examination of recent recoveries with existing studies of a broader scope. Following this, I undertake a search for similar forms and motifs in Islamic tiles found in South, Central and West Asian architecture.Although more extensive field research in Java and other Islamic architectural sites is still required, I believe it can be concluded that the origin of the shapes of these Vietnamese tiles is connected with the tile culture found in the 14th and 15th centuries in the area midstream of the Indus River, at places such as at Multan and Uch. Those tile cultures are, in turn, related to the Timurid architectural culture in Central Asia.For the next step, I hope to investigate the tangible recoveries of Vietnamese tiles in Java and the relevant architectural sites in the western Islamic world.
SDGs
Type
journal article