Lot 857. A blue and white bottle, bình Tỳ Bà, Lê dynasty, 15th-16th century; 11 5/8in (29.5cm) high. Estimate US$ 2,000 - 3,000 (€1,700 - 2,500). Unsold. Photo: Bonhams.

Of pear form with a flared rim, painted with successive bands of plantain leaves, shell-shaped flowers in lotus reserves, alternating leaf sprays and young plants separated by wave diapers and jeweled lappets rising from the foot, the foot area unglazed and the recessed base coated with a reddish brown wash.  

Published: James H. Brow and Anh Hoang Brow, 'Vietnamese Ceramics: A Ten Thousand Year Continuum,' Arts of Asia, March-April 2004, p. 90, no. 27.

Note: For a large shard of similar bottle excavated at the kiln site, see Tang Ba Huanh (editor), Gom Chu Dao [Chu Dao Ceramics], 1999, p. 133, A151. See also Butterfields sale, Treasures from the Hoi An Hoard, 11-13 October, 2000, lots 317 and 318, the bottle in the right side of the photo for lot 318 very similar to decoration of this lot.