What does this Ewer tell us about the early global world?
The traditional blue and white ceramics that emerged in China in the 1300s significantly influenced trends in Vietnamese art, as can be seen in the Ewer in the Form of a Parrot's blue and white exterior.
Circumstances such as the "Ming Gap" also contributed to the boom in Vietnamese ceramics during the 1400s and 1500s. This time period allowed for Vietnamese ceramic trade to flourish due to a lack of competition from China. Additionally, the Portuguese and Dutch obtained rights to anchor off Macau, China and conduct trade in the 1400s and 1500s. Due to these and other overseas and overland traders, many thousands of ceramics were traded across the early global world. Objects like Ewer in the Form of a Parrot were transported across Asia and even all the way to Europe, spreading ceramic techniques and trends.
Erica Belden, Class of 2026, College of the Holy Cross
