During a recent visit to the Seattle Art Museum (SAM), the Vietnamese blue-and-white display offered a clear view of several underwater-recovered pieces.
The collection at SAM reflects the key characteristics of the 15th–16th century Chu Dau kilns ceramic as below.
1) Greyish-white body with softly matured glaze
The warm greyish ceramic body and naturally absorbed mineral deposits represent typical aging patterns found in underwater-recovered Vietnamese wares.
2) Free-flowing cobalt brushwork
Motifs such as landscapes, floral elements, and birds follow the fluid, hand-drawn style associated with Annamese blue-and-white. The emphasis remains on expressive brush movement rather than mechanical precision.
3) Forms reflecting maritime trade of the time
Standard annamese export shapes—Yuhuchun bottles, floral bowls, small covered containers—appear prominently in the display, consistent with known Chu Dau production for regional and international markets.
SAM’s examples align closely with works preserved and studied within the AUA Oriental Art collection across several core attributes:
- glaze surface texture and thickness
- cobalt pigment tonality
- shaping, proportions, and structural balance
- surface features associated with underwater burial
Such SAM-held material provides a stable reference point for confirming the stylistic and historical aspects of Annamese export ceramic.
• Notable Examples Observed in the Exhibition
- Bird-shaped water droppers
These bird-shaped water droppers exemplify a distinctive sculptural form found in Vietnamese blue-and-white wares of the 15th–16th century.
- Yuhuchun bottle
The proportions of the flaring neck and rounded body reflect established Chu Dau typologies during its peak production period.
- Floral and lotus-petal bowls
These flower forms provide clear examples for examining spacing, brushwork rhythm, foot structure, and overall balance typical of the kiln tradition.
Documentation is more limited than other East Asian ceramic traditions, making physical observation and cross-referencing essential.
AUA Oriental Art’s assessment is based on:
- Southeast Asian shipwreck investigations
- archival material from international auctions and private collections
- reference comparison with major museum holdings
- kiln-site studies and excavation data
Within this scholarly context, the SAM collection supports the established placement of Vietnamese underwater-recovered works presented by AUA Oriental Art.
Reference :
auaorientalart.com/collections/blue-and-white-vietnamese