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

Ewer in the Form of a Parrot was made during the 1500s, but its exact year of creation remains unknown.  It was made during a time known as the "Ming Gap".  This occurred when emperor Ming Hongwu banned overseas trade in China for unknown reasons.  This provided an opening for Vietnamese ceramics to flourish, due to the lack of competition.  This 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 known as a prosperous nation in Asia. This time period marked major advancements in agriculture, irrigation, and architecture (as seen in local villages) and was known as the “golden age” of Vietnam’s history.  

As other nations moved into modernized cultures and ideas, Vietnam was held back by the weakness of the feudal system under Confucius.  During the 16th century, feudalism was at a steep decline, as many European nations transitioned into capitalist beliefs. Because of this, Dai Viet’s evolution as a respected nation was significantly stunted. Ewer in the Form of a Parrot was made during a period of great change and development in Vietnam.