This content was created by Erica Belden. The last update was by Amanda Luyster.

This site requires Javascript to be turned on. Please enable Javascript and reload the page.

OLD Art in an Early Global World at WAM: A WAM/College of the Holy Cross Collaboration

Ewer in the Form of a Parrot

This page is referenced by:

Ewer in the Form of a Parrot (1998.1) Erica Belden, Class of 2026, College of the Holy Cross

Ewers are containers used for the transportation of different liquids, often displaying decorative shapes and colors. This ewer is one of many blue and white pieces of ceramic that were created during the 1500s across different regions, and as such it is part of a larger group of blue and white ceramic pieces that are found at the Worcester Art Museum. Ewers like this one were used for the transportation of various liquids, including water for drinking and wine for celebrations.
Who made this ewer? Erica Belden, Class of 2026, College of the Holy Cross

The Vietnamese artist who created this ewer remains unknown, but we know that they must have been interested in earlier Chinese ceramics. The ewer's white background with cobalt blue decorations was inspired by the porcelain made in China before the "Ming Gap." Birds can symbolize beauty, dignity, and peace, themes that the creator of this object must have had in mind when shaping this ewer. The imagery of birds was present in diverse arts during the 1500s. The image of a parrot is very specific to Vietnamese iconography, and thus is a departure from Chinese artistic tradition. See the "Ewer in the Form of a Phoenix" for comparison.
What does this ewer tell us about the medieval globe? Erica Belden, Class of 2026, College of the Holy CrossThe 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 medieval globe. 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.