Stem Bowl. China, Yuan dynasty, early 14th century. 

Porcelain with underglaze cobalt blue décor. 4-3/4 x 6-3/16 x 6-3/16 in. (12.1 x 15.7 x 15.7 cm). Gift of Ruth and Bruce Dayton. AN: 2001.4.68. The Minneapolis Institute of Arts

Porcelain stem cups and stem bowls were popular throughout the Sung and Yuan dynasties. It is natural that, with the advent of blue and white, they would be decorated in this innovative technique. One family of blue and white ware, thought to date to the early fourteenth century, featured the rather sketchy style of simple, floral sprays and tendril patterns seen here. This was an early form of export ware and large quantities of it have been found throughout Southeast Asia. This object was reportedly excavated in North Vietnam and, as such, it was probably part of the maritime trade promoted by the Mongols. This style of Chinese blue and white was broadly imitated by Vietnamese potters during the fifteenth century.