An Annamese Covered Paste Jar

I am indeed grateful that the Philippines has no prior ceramic industry or else every piece of blue & white ware would become suspect of  being fake.  Hence, the chances of getting a fake export ceramic here in the province of Montemayor is minimal. So, whatever you find in your dealers' shops is most likely real diggings.

This one was acquired by one of my dealers and I've seen this languishing at the shop's curio cabinet for quite some time.  So, I've decided to haggle with my dealer.  Due to the blue-green restored area at the rim, my dealer gave it away for a very nice price.

Pictured above is my find. It is an Annamese blue and white covered box in a circular form with a flattened cover. It has a white stoneware crackled body decorated in cobalt blue underglaze with vegetal and geometrical patterns.  The box is glazed on the inside but has an unglazed interior on the foot. Unfortunately, a significant are on the rim has been "restored."  I hate that concept.  It dates to the 15th century, late Tran dynasty to Early Le dynasty. Usually these are only found in blue and white.  


According to Encarta,  " The area of South East Asia which is now North Vietnam played a significant part in porcelain production from the 14th to the 17th centuries, thanks to abundant supplies of feldspar and kaolin near Hanoi. The Annamese were using cobalt as early as the Chinese (14th century) and fine blue-and-white decorated porcelains were produced in Tho-ha and Bat Trang. The earlier wares closely imitated Chinese, but distinctive characteristics of decoration as well as potting technique had emerged by the 15th century when the best Annamese porcelains were produced. Among the distinctive Annamese products were circular covered boxes, and water droppers in the form of animals."


Due to the "restoration", I acquired this for $12. Happy antiquing!