Erica Belden, Class of 2026, College of the Holy Cross


The Ewer in the Form of a Parrot was made during the 1500s, during a period known as the "Ming Gap".  This occurred when emperor Ming Hongwu banned overseas trade in China.  This provided an opening for Vietnamese ceramics to flourish, due to the lack of competition. 
It concluded by the end of the 16th century, when Chinese ceramics began to circulate again.

Ewer in the Form of a Parrot was created during the Le So Dynasty (1428-1527) or the Lê Dynasty (1533-1592). During this time, Vietnam was called Dai Viet and was a prosperous nation in Asia. This period saw major advancements in agriculture, irrigation, and architecture and was known as a “golden age” of Vietnam’s history.  Ewer in the Form of a Parrot was made during a period of great change and development in Vietnam.