National Center for Khmer Ceramics Revival

who we are

Supporting the rebirth of lost skills in Khmer ceramics

The National Centre for Khmer Ceramic Revival (NCKCR) and its young Khmer students are passionate about reviving the ancient skill of creating traditional, high quality, Khmer ceramics that once thrived during the Khmer Empire from 802 to 1432. NCKCR was created in 2006 to revive this knowledge and offers its vocational training for young disadvantaged persons at the centre and rural workshops. 

what we do

We help young Khmer ceramists develop contemporary art and fight against the illicit antiquities trade by producing high quality replicas of Khmer antique potteries. Due to the complexity of the process, ceramics workshops limit their production to only a few types. NCKCR focuses on the following:

• Stoneware: High temperature glazing
  

• Faience: Mid temperature glazing essentially used for tableware
  

• Raku: Low temperature firing offering aesthetic cracking
  

• Salt glazing: Glaze realized by pouring salt into kiln at 1140°C
  

Khmer ceramic heritage is unique and very different from the ceramic traditions of China, Vietnam, Champa and later Siam. Our kilns are faithful reconstructions of ancient traditional Khmer kilns based on proven archaeological discoveries. They are of great interest and fascination to most people especially if your visit coincides with the regular firing of one of them. These kilns operate at very high temperatures, between 1000°C to 1400°C (1800°F to 2550°F).