Majapahit Terracotta

Over the years many terracotta sculptures and artifacts have been discovered as a result of agricultural activities, building roads etc.

Some of these finds were brought together in the museum at Trowulan before World War II, but in the subsequent years much of this collection has been lost.

After the crops have been harvested the farmers lease their land to diggers who dig pits panning the alluvial soil for gold.

[2] So far, in East Java no kilns have been found and most of the objects are relatively low fired, suggesting that the craftsmen worked by the earthenware method.

The typical kendi, a bulbous and tall neck water vessel with breast-like spout, similar to those still in use today have been found from Majapahit period sites.

These are made out of clay, unfired and are left to be reabsorbed by the elements, For the most part these heads are solid, but occasionally thin walled examples are found.

They often take the form of a woman sitting in a polite female pose, on her calves with her feet tucked underneath.

The technique of construction are similar to the carved stone reliefs seen in the temples of central Java such as Borobudur.

Frequently the figures in the panels are depicted in the East Java style, in which the body is full frontal, the face in the three quarter and the legs are in profile.

Among wide ranges objects are; roof and floor tiles to terracotta water pipes and other architectural ornaments.