This path was created by Erica Belden. The last update was by Yagnaseni Datta.
Ewer in the Form of a Parrot (1998.1)
Ewers are containers used for carrying liquids, often displaying ornate shapes and colors. In Vietnam in the 1500s, ewers like this one, made in the shape of a parrot, transported wine for celebratory drinking and water for bathing. Think about the size of the ewer, the shape of its handle, and also what it is made of; could it really be used for bathing?
This ewer was part of a larger set of blue and white Vietnamese ceramic ware, and its decoration and form were inspired by Chinese art. The blue and white decorative elements, as well as its bird-shaped form, were common in both Chinese and Indonesian ceramics. We want to focus on how the Dai Viet potters took this inspiration from the Chinese blue and white and adapted it to their tastes and conditions. The parrot is indigenous to Vietnam.
