A  rare Vietnamese blue and white ewer - Late 15th/early 16th century

The pear-shaped body boldly painted with peony blossoms and leafy scrolls between a band of large petal lappets below and a stylised ruyi-shaped leafy lappet above, the neck painted with stiff leaves above a band of chrysanthemum scrolls (old repair). 15cm (9¾in) high. Estimate: £10,000 - 15,000 - Unsold.

Footnote: The origin of blue and white wares in Vietnam is still a subject of debate amongst scholars. It is likely that the technique of painting high-fired ceramics in cobalt-blue under the glaze reached Vietnam via China, however there are different views as to how and when this might have occurred. In China, the production of blue and white porcelain in Jingdezhen is well documented and can be dated to the first quarter of the 14th century.
During the period of Mongol rule (Yuan Dynasty), Chinese potters emigrated to neighbouring Vietnam, taking with them the skills and techniques to produce blue and white wares.

For a jar dated to the 16th century with similar decoration see J. Stevenson and J. Guy, Vietnamese Ceramics. A Separate Tradition, p.358, pl.331.

Bonhams. Fine Asian Art, 6 Nov 2006. New Bond Street