The last dragon kiln in Singapore
The story of pottery manufacture in SE Asia is long and interesting. Many of the potters came from Guandong, specifically the Chaoshan region in the eastern part of the province and most of them are Tew Chew speakers. This photo was taken in the mid seventies in Singapore within a dozen years the traditional potteries had closed down due to government initiated changes in land usage. I believe some of the people involved in the industry moved to Malaysia where there was more space and ready supplies of local clays. Originally in the 19 century these country potteries made utilitarian wares but towards the end of their operations were making mostly plant pots for the local and export markets.
