Ban Chiang Bronze Kettle

Thanks to a student’s clumsy stumble over a tree root, the ancient and technologically sophisticated Bronze Age culture of Ban Chiang was rediscovered in 1966, turning the established idea about Southeast Asia’s contribution to civilization on its head. Demonstrating sophisticated knowledge of metallurgy, this ancient bronze kettle was cast at the end of this epoch, dating from 2100 B.C. to 300 A.D., and was probably used to concoct ritual offerings. Over the centuries, the kettle has traded the pale gold gleam of bronze for a rich green patina. We love the idea of imagining the kettle’s fiery creation by placing it alongside a roaring fire, filled with kindling.