Lidded Ewer with Iron Oxide Spots, Lý–Trần Dynasty, 12th–13th c. A.D., Vietnam. Height: 19cm © Zetterquist Galleries

A stoneware ewer with ovoid body with pinched spout and strap handle. There are four lug-handles on each side of the shoulder between the spout and handle. The body is decorated with bands of lightly incised lines and large iron oxide brown spots evenly distributed over the surface. The lid, which sits over a straight neck, is similarly decorated, has a flattened top, beveled edges, and is surmounted by a small loop finial. The foot-rim is broad and flat, and has a shallow foot well. The under-foot is unglazed, revealing a stoneware body stained to a dark grey color. The exterior is glazed in a translucent, pale green glaze that was wiped away in areas near the base, with the underlying clay body, as well as the interior of the lid, revealed and firing to a russet color.

This style of decoration descends from the Northern Chinese kilns during the Northern Song Dynasty, and continues to be used in Southern celadon and Qingbai glazed wares, which have likely influenced this piece.

Zetterquist Galleries (New York, NY), Chinese and Vietnamese Ceramics with Highlights from the Brow Collection, 10-18 march 2017 at 3 East 66th Street, #1B, New York 10065. T (212) 751 0650 - inquiries@zetterquist.com - zetterquist.com