High-fired ceramics were already being produced in Vietnam 2000 years ago; the white-glazed, white-bodied ceramics from tombs in Thanh-hoa are older than any found to date in China.

By the 1st century, the Vietnamese were aware of the glazing process when Chinese craftsmen followed Chinese soldiers and administrators to form new settlements in the region of modern Hanoi. Vietnamese wares nevertheless, closely resembled Chinese forms.

After the fall of the Han dynasty in the early 3rd century CE, the early Vietnamese ceramic tradition seems to have come to an end. A renaissance of sorts occurred in the period of the Ly dynasty (1009-1225) and received a major stimulus at the end of the 14th century when the Ming dynasty severely restricted exports.

All references are to works named in the Bibliography at the end of this article.

Bát Tràng

The Bát Tràng kilns are located about 10 km southeast of Hanoi. The name first appears in 1352. The first reference to ceramic production is dated 1435. The site is still active today.

One tradition states that it was founded by people from Chu Dau, while local legend assigns credit for the foundation of the Bát Tràng kilns to three Vietnamese scholars who went to China on a diplomatic mission during the Northern Song Dynasty (960–1126). They are said to have visited a ceramic factory in Guangdong and brought back the technical knowledge that led to the people of Baá Tràng learning how to make glazes: white glazes by one scholar; red glazes by the second scholar; and the third scholar, dark yellow glazes–each to a different region [Phan Huy Lê, Nguyen Chién & Nguyen Quang Ngoc 1995: 48]. Other evidence points to Thanh Hoa as the ancestor of the Bát Tràng industry [Miksic 2009: 60].

According to Long [1995: 87], Bát Tràng ceramics were sent to China as tribute in the 15th century.

Bát Tràng wares probably reached peak production in the 15th and 16th centuries, coinciding with the Ming Gap, when Chinese wares were banned from being exported. The modern kilns there, however, have operated continuously at least from the 16th century [Brown 1988: 32]. Brown claimed that there is a lack of chronology for Vietnamese wares from the 14th to the 17th centuries because “of the internal homogeneity of the wares and the scarcity of archaeological data” [Brown 1988: 27].

Underglaze blue decorative motifs, 15-16C. (Photo: Brown 1988: fig 17)

A B&W drawing of common 15C Vietnamese ceramic designs central floral designs

Types of designs dated to the early 15C by Robert P. Griffing Jr (1976) (Photo: Brown 1988:fig 18)

Vietnamese ceramics of this period are best known for their blue & white wares. The origin of this method of decoration is uncertain, but probably coincides with the Ming invasion of northern Vietnam in 1407. Brown [1988: 25] tells us that “with the introduction of cobalt for underglaze painted decoration, the underglaze iron black and monochrome wares quickly began to disappear,” along with the earlier decorative motifs and shapes.

In terms of decoration, in addition to the blue & whites, overglaze enamels in red and green, and sometimes yellow, are added to the repertoire.

The designs (top left) are found in varying combinations on both large platters as well as small jarlets; the designs (below left) are typically found as central medallions on large platters.

The new varieties are astounding in range: bottles, jars, dishes, plates, bowls, covered boxes, kendi, jarlets, zoomorphic water-droppers, and miniatures. Examples are shown below.

Pouring vessel with moulded heads of twin crested birds which serve as spout, missing cover, with anatomical parts drawn in underglaze blue. 13-14C. H: 7 cm, W: 17 cm. NUS Museum S2002-0002-003-0

Octagonal blue and white jarlet having a putty-coloured biscuit, with underglaze decoration of a lotus leaf collar and panels of a vegetal form alternating with wave patterns. 15C. H: 8.6 cm, D: 9 cm. NUS Museum S1980-0206-001-0

Blue and white ewer with a short, stubby spout; a carved handle in the form of a cloud (probably not functional); and a chocolate base. 16C. H: 22 cm; D: 18 cm. NUS Museum S1999-0009-006-0

8-lobed moulded blue & white jarlet having a putty-coloured biscuit, with a bright underglaze blue decoration with evidence of heap and pile; decoration of a collar of scalloped petals on the upper shoulder, and on the lower shoulder a band of 4 cloud-scrolls; the body with a scroll comprising 4 peony blossoms. 15C. H: 8.8 cm, D: 9.9 cm. NUS Museum S1967-0014-001-0

Blue and white ewer with an elaborately turned handle and a long teapot-like spout having moulded cloud forms; decorated in blue underglaze throughout; a circle of lotus petals on lid, another on collar; two-thirds of body consists in 4 rounded rectangular panels comprising leaf and flower motif, separated by wave motif; lower body with perfunctory lotus panels; splayed foot with chocolate slip at bottom. 16C. H: 19.5 cm; D: 21 cm. NUS Museum S1999-0009-004-0

Blue & white kendi with onion-shaped spout and a stout neck that ends with a short flange just below the mouth-rim; decorated in dark blue underglaze on neck and collar, both sections divided by horizontal borders; motif on neck is a stylised leaf motif, and on the collar floral and vegetal scrolls; fluted body and spout with blisters in glazing; wide flat foot with glazed base. Late 15-early 16C. H: 16.6 cm, D: 16 cm. NUS Museum S1955-0242-001-0

Six-sided moulded jarlet with underglaze blue-black decoration; around collar, 6 pentagonal shapes comprising foliage-type motif alternating with geometric designs and on the body, 6 hexagonal panels with similar alternating motifs. 16tC. H: 5.9 cm, D: 7.1 cm. NUS Museum S1972-011-001-0

Jarlet with 4 pierced ring handles around the neck, in underglaze blue decoration of large flower blossoms amidst foliage. The yellowish-white glaze is crackled. 17C. H: 9.1 cm, D: 11.2 cm. NUS Museum S1955-0179-001-0

Elephant-shaped ewer, the tail forming a handle and the trunk a spout. The anatomical parts and decorations of florettes are in blue underglaze with evidence of heap and pile. Similar elephants have been found in the Philippines (see Gotuaco, Tan, and Diem 1997: 252, plate V28). 15-16C. H: 17.5 cm, W: 11 cm, L: 21.5 cm. Private collection

Plate with an unglazed rim, the flat lip decorated with a classic scroll, the cavetto with 6 stylised lotuses in a scroll; the centre medallion with an elaborate peony wreath surrounded by a scalloped- petal border; the outside wall with 16 lotus panels enclosing leaf-forms. This dish may be roughly dated to the mid-15th century on the basis of a bottle in the Topkapi Museum bearing a date corresponding to the year 1450. 15-16C. H: 6.3 cm, D: 37.5 cm. NUS Museum S1969-0067-001-0

Deep bowl with décor in blue underglaze; a floral medallion within a circular border; similar motifs interspersed on cavetto with a cloud scroll along inside rim; exterior wall divided into two horizontal registers; the upper of peony blooms and vegetal scrolls; the lower of lotus panels; high carved foot with chocolate slip on base exterior and interior. For an even larger example (30.2 cm in diameter) found on the Pandanan shipwreck in the Philippines, see Gotuaco, Tan & Diem 1997: 226–227, plate V4. 15. H: 13.5 cm, D: 24.7 cm. Private collection

Cream and green-glazed limepot with a moulded and incised handle in the form of a vine. (See also Brown 1988: pl. XIV a). 17-18C. H: 16 cm; D: 13 cm. NUS Museum S1999-0009-050-0

Blue and white limepot with decoration of stylized leaf and floral motifs. 18tC. H: 20 cm; D: 16.5 cm. NUS Museum S1999-0009-054-0

Blue & white dish with underglaze bamboo motif, unglazed rim with classic scrolls, plantain leaves on the cavetto and the outside wall having 11 lotus panels enclosing leaf forms; no chocolate base but a slightly greenish glaze. 15-16C. D: 35.8 cm; H: 7.5 cm. NUS Museum S1971-0056-001-0

Plate with fish motif on centre medallion, the cavetto decorated with 5 feathery leaf-like motifs; lotus panels in underglaze blue on exterior walls, high foot with two horizontal bands near base; chocolate base. 16C. H: 9 cm, D: 33.5 cm. NUS Museum S1999-0009-044-0

Dish with an unglazed rim, the flat lip with a classic scroll, the cavetto with a scroll of 6 flowers, the centre medallion with a lotus wreath surrounded by a border containing cloud-scrolls, the outside wall with 11 lotus panels enclosing leaf-forms, all painted in a pale blackish underglaze blue. The carved foot is unglazed, and has a chocolate base. 16-17C. H: 8 cm, D: 36.2 cm. NUS Museum S1955-0260-001-0

Polychrome plate decorated in underglaze blue with red and green enamel; a tiger on centre medallion surrounded by cloud motifs and a circular border of scallop motifs; on cavetto, six ogival panels of flower blooms on a wave background. 15-16C. H: 9.5cm, D: 41.5 c Private collection

Tall octagonal jar with 8 handles; neck decorated with lotus panels in blue underglaze; multi-coloured overglaze enamels of 2 dragons, with pearl and 8 auspicious objects on a background of cloud and wave motifs; near foot, floral scrolls in blue underglaze. 17-18C. H: 34 cm, D: 27 cm. NUS Museum S1980-0001-001-0

Blue & white jar with an unglazed rim (probably had a lid); décor in blue underglaze with heap and pile, divided into three registers by 3 horizontal bands; collar with stylised cloud motif; body with floral and vegetal scrolls; lower body in lotus panels. 16C. H: 21 cm; D: 16 cm. NUS Museum S1999-0009-007-0

Tall jar of ovoid shape with 4 handles with moulded florettes, crackled glazed; underglaze blue decoration of classic scrolls on neck; on body, large flower blooms on a floral background; and around base, floral scrolls. (See also Brown 1988: pl. Xlla). 17C. H: 29.7 cm, D: 25.4 cm. NUS Museum S1955-0174-001-0

Blue and white bottle of yü hu chun ping shape, the neck decorated with 4 upright plantain leaves, the shoulder with 4 lotus-panels with leaf forms, and the body with 4 panels comprising vegetal motifs on a wave background; lower body with lotus panels; foot-rim entirely restored. Late 15-early 16C. H: 27.5 cm, D: 15.5 cm. NUS Museum S1969-0110-001-0

Rectangular incense burner with ivory and moss-green glaze, Le Dynasty, 1637. The milky or ivory white glaze was applied on the corners and borders but not on the decorations, and the ceramic form are both typical of the kiln site and period. Eleven such incense burners with inscriptions of the 17th century are known. Greyish-blue and yellowish-brown glaze were used on censers made by the potter Dang Huyen Thon in the late 16th century. The three-part structure of the larger incense burner in the collection is similar to that of an inscribed artefact in Vietnam dated 1637 (Nguyen 1999: 167). Ornately decorated with phoenix dragons made from sprig designs. (See also Nguyen 1999: 167, pl. 51, N81; Phan Huy Lê et al 2004: pls. 61, 86-91.) 17C. H: 34 cm; D: 24 cm. NUS Museum S1999-0009-045-0

Bat Trang is also known for the production of censers (as you see on the left) in the 16th and 17th centuries. The mass fabrication of these censers might well attest to the revival of Buddhism during that period [Miksic 2009: 61].

Finally, potters of Bát Tràng included both males and females, sometimes husbands and wives together. This is shown by a tradition in which potters signed some of their works, like at Chu Dau.

Chu Dau

Chu Dau, in the Nam Sach county east of Hanoi, was discovered in 1983, which led to a series of excavations being conducted there from 1986 to 1991. It is estimated to have begun production in the 13th century, reaching a peak in the 15th and 16th centuries, and declining in the 17th century.

Chu Dau is mentioned in the famous vase (left) signed by a woman named Bui and dated 1450 in the collection of the Topkapi Sarayi Museum, Istanbul.

In the late 16th century another potter, this time a man named Dang Huyen Thong signed at least tenof his works, including censers and lampstands. He was unusual in that he was a bachelor of literature as well as a potter. His home was located only two kilometres from Chu Dau (Tang 1993: 34).

The Chu Dau kilns produced a wide range of shapes and decorations. These included such fancy items as large stem cups, meiping, lime pots, double-gourd ewers with fine handles and spouts and covered boxes, though the vast majority of products are bowls, many with chocolate wipes on their bases. Decoration included celadon glaze, cobalt blue designs, overglaze enamels, and brown-glazed bowls with incised motifs.

Unfortunately, little remains of the kilns themselves. Much kiln furniture, however, has survived, as well as many saggars. Ring supports with three spurs have also been found.

The famous vase from the Topkapi Museum, Istanbul. H: 54 cm.

 

 

Additional information about the three pieces on the right:

 

Top: D: 4 cm, H: 2 cm; ACM HC SEA 011 — Exterior decorated with a horizontal band of lotus petals between 2 lines; interior grey-green glaze with visible pooling in well; rim and recessed base unglazed.

 

Middle: D: 5.6 cm, H: 2.5 cm; ACM HC SEA 010 — Moulded form corresponding to decorative panels of alternating designs comprising four-petaled flowers and leaf scrolls; all in blue underglaze; a fine grey-green glaze in interior; rim and recessed base unglazed.

 

Bottom: D: 6.4 cm, H: 3cm; ACM HC SEA 009. — Exterior decorated in bright blue underglaze of 4 visible panels of alternating wave and leaf scroll motifs; panels separated by vertical lines; around base, 3 horizontal bands in blue-green underglaze; rim unglazed; interior with a grey-green glaze with slight pooling in well; unglazed recessed base.

The famous vase from the Topkapi Museum, Istanbul. H: 54 cm.

Miniature underglaze blue decorated covered boxes with missing lids, possibly from Chu Dau. 15th Century.

Go-Sanh

Go-Sanh, literally ‘pottery mound,’ is located in the Binh Dinh province of central Vietnam. In pre-modern times, this was the realm of the Cham people, a Malayo-Polynesian speaking group who established a number of important kingdoms and were feared adversaries of the Khmer and Vietnamese before they were gradually subdued in the 15th century.

The ceramics from Go-Sanh can be divided into three categories: The first (1) consists of greenish or bluish-grey glazed saucers with unglazed stacking rings on their interior bottoms, such as the first example shown below. The greyish clay on the unglazed interior, which appears on these types of wares as well as celadons, also helps identify this piece as belonging to this kiln site.

Celadon dishes make up the second category (2) and have a similar type of clay as the above, visible on the unglazed foot of this beaker-shaped bowl. The celadon glaze has eroded over time, but some of the colour is still visible where the glaze has pooled on the uneven surface. The final third (3) category comprises brown-glazed vessels of various shapes that tend to exhibit an orangey to reddish-brown clay. This clay is surprisingly light in weight and can be seen on the unglazed bottom half of the jarlet from Binh Dinh shown below.

The final category comprises obrown-glazed vessels of various shapes that tend to exhibit an orangey to reddish-brown clay. This clay is surprisingly light in weight and can be seen on the unglazed bottom half of the jarlet from Binh Dinh shown below.

Go-Sanh. 15 C (or earlier) H: 7.2 cm; D: 11.8 cm. NUS Museum S1966-0007-001-0

Go-Sanh beaker-shaped cup with a runny mottled green glaze with bubbles that are caused by over-firing. (See also Brown 1988: pl. 22b). 14-15C. H: 7.7 cm, D: 7.7 cm. NUS Museum 1980-0330-001-0

The brown glaze on this jarlet from Binh Dinh has mostly flaked off, but a grey slip is visible beneath it. 14-15C. H: 8 cm, D: 8 cm. NUS Museum S1980-0161-001-0

Jarlet from the Binh Dinh kilns with two incised decorative circular bands on the shoulder, covered in a caramel-coloured glaze. The lower body and carved foot are unglazed, with an ochre-coloured biscuit. (See also Brown 1988: pl. 23c). 14-15C. H: 8.6 cm, D: 9.2 cm. NUS Museum S1968-0056-001-0

Jar with reddish-orange body, the decoration incised through a runny mottled green-brown glaze. H: 42 cm. Collection of Ha Duc Can. (Photo source: Brown 1988: pl. XV b). Decoration is generally rare on Binh Dinh wares, except for large brown-glazed storage jars which sometimes have incised or moulded appliqué motifs.

Jar with five long scaly dragons whose necks form handles, incised decoration of waves under the glaze, a reddish body, and a thin, runny, golden brown glaze speckled with pinholes. From the hill tribes, Binh Dinh province. 14-15C. H: 42 cm. Collection of Ha Duc Can. (Photo source: Brown 1988: pl. 22c)

Pear-shaped bottle from Binh Dinh with a flaring mouth-rim, a dark olive-green glaze, and horizontal incised lines on the body. The unglazed lower body and foot show a light brick-coloured biscuit. 14-15C. H: 23 cm; D: 11 cm. NUS Museum 1969-0123-001-0

Thanh Hoa

Northern Vietnam was conquered by the Chinese from the Han to Tang Dynasty (111-979 CE), and was ruled by them as far south as Thanh Hoa (about 150 km south of Hanoi). There was a second period of Chinese dominance from 1407-1427.

Thanh Hoa was excavated in the 1920-30s due to French public works. Burial wares of the 1st-3rd centuries and 10th-13th centuries were found, roughly contemporary with, respectively, the Later Han and the Song dynasties in China. These became known as Thanh Hoa ware, and were recognised as Vietnamese in their own right, not Chinese. The first exhibition of these artefacts was held in 1931 at the Musée Guimet in Paris.

From 1925, severe looting of the area caused the authorities to enact laws prohibiting illegal digging. This, unfortunately, did not prevent amateur collectors from amassing substantial collections. There was also a constant problem of badly kept records by all—excavation managers, looters and collectors.

During this early stage of excavations, no kiln sites for glazed wares were found, only 20 cross-draft kilns (the source of unglazed, high-fired reddish-bodied wares). No kilns responsible for producing the Han-period cream or slightly greenish glazed white-bodied wares were found.

Thanh Hoa ware, found at these burial sites, is divided into two groups:

(1) The first is classified, according to Roxanna Brown [1988: 17], as ‘Later Han Period’, ranging from the 1st to the 3rd centuries CE, and were “white-bodied wares with cream-white to slightly greenish glazes.” Miksic [2009: 58] tells us that at that time, the only known kiln site in north Vietnam was Bat-trang, 10 km north of Hanoi, which dates to the mid-16th century. That high-fired ceramics were produced in Vietnam 2,000 years ago was, however, well-known. The white-glazed, white-bodied ceramics from the Thanh Hoa tombs were older than any known at the time in China.

Contemporary pottery in Han territory was made from reddish-brown or buff clay and covered with a matte green glaze. Shapes, nevertheless, closely resembled Chinese forms.”

Unglazed house model with a flat base, reddish body and removable roof. 1-3C. L: 27.5 cm. Saigon National Museum. (Photo source: Brown 1988: pl. I a)

(2) The second period is what Brown calls ‘Ly Dynasty’, corresponding approximately to their reign from 1009-1225, or the 10th to 13th centuries. This was a period of great pride to the Vietnamese, having successfully shrugged off Chinese authority. Many consider this also to be an age of artistic renaissance, with trade being re-established. Between the first and second periods is an intermediary one from the 4th to 10th centuries, but little has been found that can be confidently assigned to this period.

The Ly Dynasty period wares are primarily covered urns, typically unglazed blackish-grey bodied, as well as white to greyish-bodied wares. The latter have the following glaze types: iron brown inlay, pale greenish-ochre, white, black, and brown monochromes. There are also two types of celadon: one thin, pale and translucent; the other thick and dark. Finally, there are also underglaze iron black decorated wares [Brown 1988: 17].

Among the earliest Ly Dynasty wares are those with inlay decorative patterns. The shapes are restricted to “covered urns, some with hollow stand-type bases”, such as the example (above right), which might have lost its lid. Brown tells us that other shapes include “tall cylindrical urns, wide basins, and squat jar with flaring mouth-rims. [These] decorations are carved in outline with wide scrapes and the space within then is glazed brown. The remainder of the vessel is then covered with an often runny, transparent or slightly greenish glaze. On some rare examples this colour scheme is reversed…. Occasionally, a thin coat of white slip can be detected under the glaze. Bases are always unglazed and usually flat, and the clay body is whitish or pale grey. The decorative patterns are mostly vegetal, with vines and simple flower blossoms, usually lotus, predominating” [Brown 1988: 20-21].

A crackled green glazed granary with a cross-shaped décor resembling a flower with 4 long petals inlaid with brown glaze. The body is divided into 4 panels by an incised brown-glazed vertical line. (See also Brown 1988: pls. I and II). 10-11C. H: 20.5 cm, D: 19 cm. NUS Museum NU30439

Next are the monochrome wares, some of which share the same shapes as the previous group, such as the covered urn (right). However, more shapes appear, including “dishes, bowls, and sometimes beakers, shapes mostly of the 13th century which presage the earliest trade ceramics…. The vessels are carved or moulded with strong geometric decoration” [Brown 1988: 21].

A crackled green glazed granary with a cross-shaped décor resembling a flower with 4 long petals inlaid with brown glaze. The body is divided into 4 panels by an incised brown-glazed vertical line. (See also Brown 1988: pls. I and II). 10-11C. H: 20.5 cm, D: 19 cm. NUS Museum NU30439

Monochrome green glaze dish with carved lotus in centre medallion which shows 4 spur marks. (See also Brown 1988: pl. IV.) 9-10C. H

Brown glazed wares are, according to Brown [1988: 21-22], “relatively rare among the Thanh Hoa finds and normally monochrome.” They “probably begin in the 12th century and include a small number of covered urns, small jars, beakers and bowls. The bowls often have a brown-slipped or ‘chocolate’ base, a common characteristic of the later trade wares. Yet the only brown-glazed wares excavated abroad have been bowls with a brown exterior and cream-glazed interior; these invariably have an unglazed stacking ring on the interior bottom.” An example is shown below right.

Brown monochrome glazed bowl with foliate mouth-rim, 5 spur marks and 8 indistinct stamped motifs in the interior well. 12-14C. H: 7.5 cm; D: 16.5 cm. NUS Museum S1999-0009-05-0

Brown monochrome glazed bowl with foliate mouth-rim, 5 spur marks and 8 indistinct stamped motifs in the interior well. 12-14C. H: 7.5 cm; D: 16.5 cm. NUS Museum S1999-0009-05-0

The next group of wares are the green celadon and white monochromes that “seem to have endured throughout the Ly period into the 14th century. Both comprise shapes related to the inlay brown wares, as well as to early trade wares, although they seem to have been most popular in the 13th and 14th centuries.

Bowls and beakers from Thanh Hoa often display a brown slip ‘chocolate’ base, just as do later versions of these shapes discovered abroad” [Brown 1988: 22].

Glazed bowl with foliate mouth-rim, stamped with a décor imitating metal work and 5 spur marks. The pale grey-green glaze is almost white. 14C. H: 9 cm; D: 21 cm. NUS Museum S1999-0009-019-0

A bulbous celadon bowl in the shape of a crucible, with a wide inverted mouth-rim and carved foot. 12-13C. H: 11 cm; D: 13 cm. NUS Museum S1999-0009-017-0

Finally, Brown [1988:22] tells us, “Among the later Thanh Hoa finds, those of the 12th to 13th centuries, are two types of celadon, both of which can be found among early trade wares…. One type usually makes its appearance on heavily potted, medium-sized, relatively plain bowls with everted rims and carved footrings. It is thick, opaque, murky dark olive green in colour and usually laid over a whitish slip that can also be quite thick. Many of these pieces have a ‘chocolate’ (brown slip) base, and most have either spur marks on the interior or an unglazed stacking ring. Only occasionally does this type have an attractive medium green colour.”

13C. D: 16.3 cm. Saigon National Museum (Photo source: Brown 1988: pl. 7a)

13C. H: 9 cm. Saigon National Museum (Photo source: Brown 1988: pl. 7b)

Bibliography and Recommended Reading:

Brown, Roxanna M., The Ceramics of South-East Asia: Their Dating and Identification, 2nd edn. Singapore: Oxford University Press, 1988.

Bui Minh Tri and Kerry Nguyen-Long, Góm Hoa Lam, Viet Nam: Vietnamese Blue & White Ceramics, Hanoi, Vietnam: Social Sciences Publishing House, 2001.

Chien, Nguyen Dinh and Quan, Pham Quoc, Vietnamese Brown Patterned Ceramics, Hanoi: 2005.

Frasche, D. Southeast Asian Ceramics: Ninth through Seventeenth Centuries, 1976.

Gotuaco, Tan and Diem, Chinese and Vietnamese Blue and White Wares found in the Philippines, 1997.

Lammers, C. and Ridho, A. Annamese Ceramics in the Museum Pusat Jakarta, 1974.

Miksic, John N. (ed.) Southeast Asian Ceramics: New Light on Old Pottery, Singapore, Southeast Asian Ceramic Society, 2009.

Okuda Sei-ichi, Annam Tōji Zenshū, Tokyo: Zauho Press, 1954.

Rehfuss, D. “Report on the Third Asian Ceramic Conference” in Orientations, Vol. 30, No. 4 (May 1999).

Richards, Dick, South-East Asian Ceramics: Thai, Vietnamese, and Khmer from the Collection of the Art Gallery of South Australia, Kuala Lumpur: Oxford University Press, 1995.

Rooney, Dawn F. Ceramics of Seduction: Glazed Wares from Southeast Asia, Bangkok: River Books, 2013.

Stevenson, John and John Guy, Vietnamese Ceramics: A Separate Tradition, Chicago: Avery Press, 1997.

White, Margaret. “The Kendi: The Long Journey of a Little Water Vessel”, PASSAGE, May/June 2018, pp. 24-25. Read or download it here.

Willetts, William. Ceramic Art of Southeast Asia, Singapore: SEACS, 1971, pp. 9-14, quoted extensively by C. Nelson Spinks in his article in the Siam Society Journal article “A Reassessment of the Annamese Wares”, (1976) that can be downloaded here.

Young, Carol, Marie-France Dupoizat and Elizabeth W. Lane (eds.), Vietnamese Ceramics, Singapore: Southeast Asian Ceramic Society, 1982.

Websites:

www.washingtonocg.org (Washington Oriental Ceramic Group)

https://asia.si.edu (Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art)

https://museum.bu.ac.th/en/newsletter/ (Southeast Asian Ceramics Museum newsletters, early ones edited by R. Brown)