Laruan sa Bata

by Alyssa Caldito

This four-piece ceramic toy set that includes a miniature stove, cooking pot with lid, and frying pan. The miniature stove has three prongs that are meant to support each of the included pots. This set is part of a collection of ceramics that were sold in Batangas, Philippines, and its name, “Laruan sa Bata,” translates to English as “Children’s Toys.”

  • A ceramic pot, pot lid, stove, and frying pan sitting next to each other.
    UMMAA 2003-33-97-A-B-C-D. This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.
  • The ceramic pot, stove, and frying pan displayed next to each other. The lid of the pot is now on top of it rather than next to it.
    UMMAA 2003-33-97-A-B-C-D. This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.
  • An image of a ceramic pot with a lid, and a frying pan on top of the ceramic stove.
    UMMAA 2003-33-97-A-B-C-D. This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.

The style of cooking pot is called a palayok, which has been used by Tagalog people throughout generations to cook. As many of the Tagalog people residing in Southern Luzon are farmers, the ceramic palayok was able to withstand long hours over a fire in order to slow-cook foods over time. Additionally, the ceramic was able to disperse the often-uneven heat that was applied to the food, making sure everything cooked evenly. The product of this hard work was often to be able to enjoy a tender, savory meal like the ever-favorite adobo or sinigang.

Citations

  • Palayok is Filipino tableware that’s as celebrated as the food it contains. (2021, December 20). Food. https://www.sbs.com.au/food/article/2021/12/20/palayok-filipino-tableware-thats-celebrated-food-it-contains
  • Schean, D. (1977). Filipino Market Potteries. National Museum of the Philippines.

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