Two Vietnamese Blue and White Bowls

15th-16th century, bowls of inverted bell form, each interior with a stylized characters and rim band of scrolling tendrils or garlands of pearls, the exterior on one with leafy orchid and on the other with a honeycomb pattern.
3 in., 6 in. diameter
The Underwood collection of Vietnamese ceramics presents a curated selection of various shapes and patterns of blue and white created during the 15th and 16th centuries. The Vietnamese ceramic workshops came to a pinnacle in the 15th century spurred by the Chinese occupation of north Vietnam and the gap left in the market from lower exports from China. The Vietnamese were able to create high quality pieces similar to the Chinese style using underglaze cobalt blue with a heaping effect but with more graceful and willowy brushstrokes over a soft white paste stoneware. The Vietnamese exported their ceramics to southeast Asia and the Philippines.
Property from the Estate of Joan Huntley, sold by the Ackland Art Museum to benefit the Robert and Joan Huntley Endowment Fund
Additional high-resolution photos are available at www.lelandlittle.com

One with chip to rim and some short hairlines; the other bowl with restoration at rim; some chips to foot rim.