ANNAMESE BLUE AND WHITE DISH CIRCA 15TH CENTURY, LE DYNASTY

A blue-and-white porcelain dish with a central floral motif, likely a lotus, which is a recurrent symbol in Asian art representing purity and beauty. The lotus is surrounded by concentric patterns of foliage and vines, typical of the blue-and-white ceramics that were prevalent during the Ming Dynasty. The cobalt blue used for the intricate designs stands out against the white background, giving the piece a timeless elegance. The design's fluidity and organic shapes suggest it was painted by a skilled artisan, making it a fine example of the artistry from the period when it was created.

* Vietnamese trade ceramics

Around the mid-14th century, Vietnam developed its ceramics production technology by producing blue and white porcelain, and began to export it overseas. During this period, China Ming Dynasty implemented a policy of lifting the ban from 1371 to 1657 and restricted foreign trade. This served as a good opportunity in the trade history of Vietnamese ceramics, and ceramic exports boomed from the late 15th to the 16th century, expanding sales channels not only to Southeast Asia but also to Japan, the Middle East, and several European countries.

During 15~16th century, Vietnam's international trade policy became much more liberal than in the past. In northern Vietnam, commerce became more active as markets were formed around ports, riverine ports, and handicraft villages. This led to the emergence of many large commercial centers such as Phố Hiến, Thăng Long and Hội An.

Through this, Vietnam's international trade and economy also grew significantly. In the above commercial area, stores of European merchants from the Netherlands, England, France, and Portugal were opened and operated. Merchants from many countries around the world entered Vietnam and engaged in intermediate trade.