Annamese Blue and White Ceramic Jarlet, Chu Dau kilns, Vietnam, circa 1500

Annamese Blue and White Ceramic Dish, Bird Design, Chu Dau kiln, Vietnam, circa 1500. Stoneware with raised rim decorated in under glaze cobalt blue of a plump...

Annamese Blue and White Ceramic Box, Chu Dau kiln, Vietnam, circa 1500. A covered flat top circular box with lid decoration in under glaze cobalt blue of a peony blossom with leafy b...

Annamese Blue and White Ceramic Box, Chu Dau kiln, Vietnam, circa 1500. A circular form with flat top, decorated in a stylized floral spray on center, framed by a band of water plant...

Annamese Blue and White Ceramic Box, Chu Dau kiln, Vietnam, circa 1500. A globular form with concave depression on center of the flat lid, decorated with flower blossom on center sur...

Blue and white Annamese porcelain brush washer encircled by a parrot. Recovered from the wreck of a 15th century ship off the coast of Hoi An, among a group of sunken porcelain known as the Hoi An Hoard, found 230 feet below the surface of the water. Typical of the Hoi An pieces, the brush washer has a zoomorphic form, decorated with pale cobalt blue and exhibits the signature chalky, slightly ivory white body with a fine glaze. Through very few strokes, the painter evokes a very large personality for a small bird, exhibiting an almost child-like delightfulness. The bird is sharp-eyed and retains a vaguely bemused expression as its hooked beak pushes in the edge of the bowl. The designs on its wing are free, direct and supple. In good condition besides the fading characteristic of shipwreck porcelain...

Dubbed as production of the "Chinese Modern Official Kiln", a small group of porcelains of the highest standard were produced in Jingdezhen from 1962-1967, The production was aimed as a revival of the Chinese porcelain after the foundation of the Republic in 1949 in order to serve the purpose of decorating the meeting halls for the newly renewed diplomatic relations around the globe. The best available materials and artists, including the painters and potters, were employed to achieve a high quality that rivaled the pieces produced during the pinnacle years in the porcelain production in the previous Qing dynasty. Due to the breakout of the Cultural Revolution, most of the pieces failed to be used as intended. Most if not all signatures, such as found on this vase, were added later as a hallmark to distinguish them. "Zhong Nai Hai Huai Ren Tang Treasures Porcelain Research Bureau year of 1962". Zhong Nai Hai is the residential and working compound for Chinese political elites in Beijing and Huai Ren Hall being an important meeting hall. The pieces from "Modern Official Kiln" ubiquitously showcase perfectly balanced forms with precision in symmetry. The use of very high quality Gaolin clay resulted in a semi translucent body, often quite thinly potted. The superbly underglaze paint were sandwiched between a pre-applied glaze and then an overglaze, and the elaborate designs were drawn by master painters. Often, there is a hidden red Chinese National Emblem on the interior wall. These features were all well reflected in this piece. The decoration of the blue paint on the vase is of a classic regal composition and the cobalt blue is of a vivid radiating color. Blooming peonies, an old laurel tree with blossom and scholar rocks provide the background and anchor for a pair of pheasants. One raises its head to crow while the other one looks down. These motifs are commonly found in classic Chinese scroll paintings, a genre called "Flower and Bird Painting". On the back of the vase, there are Chairman Mao's head portrait watermarked in the glaze as well as a cursive poem with a collection number as shown. For a pair of blue and white vase of the same production, see sale by Singapore International Auction PTE ltd on July 21st, 2019 lot 2014. For a pair of blue and white urns...

A stunning Song Dynasty porcelain pillow, crafted by the prestigious Long Quan kiln. This historic kiln, dating back over 1600 years, is renowned for its exquisite celadon and lotus ...

Small Ming pottery jarlet with handles and a green glaze. 16th century. This charming, somewhat rustic piece is like a miniature version of the large earthenware jars used to store ...