Bol

Entre 1300 et 1400
Grès, Décor peint sous couverte
Bol
Don fouilles : Mission Janse Indochine (1934-1935)

M.C. 8226

This hemispherical bowl set on a small foot narrows very slightly just below the lip. This form characteristic of Vietnamese ware since the Lý dynasty (1009-1225) began to feature a new kind of iron oxide underglaze decoration from the late 13th century onwards. The floral motifs were applied in firm, swift brushstrokes. Their calligraphic, almost abstract appearance is extremely appealing, as is their subtle colour, the iron oxide taking on a milky, almost blueish tinge under the ivory glaze.
Two horizontal fillets run above and below the motif painted on the outer wall of the bowl, while the motif painted on the bottom of the bowl appears alone on the plain-coloured surface. Five kiln prop marks, visible inside the bowl, are characteristic of Vietnamese ware, where, unlike in China, ceramics were not fired in saggars, but piled on top of each other in stacks, the props being broken and filed off after firing.