15th-16th century, bowls of inverted bell form, each interior with a stylized characters and rim band of scrolling tendrils or garlands of pearls, the exterior on one with leafy orchid and on the other with a honeycomb pattern.

3 in., 6 in. diameter

Property from the Estate of Jean Underwood, sold by the Ackland Art Museum to benefit the Ruth and Sherman Lee Fund for Asian Art

The Underwood collection of Vietnamese ceramics presents a curated selection of various shapes and patterns of blue and white created during the 15th and 16th centuries. The Vietnamese ceramic workshops came to a pinnacle in the 15th century spurred by the Chinese occupation of north Vietnam and the gap left in the market from lower exports from China. The Vietnamese were able to create high quality pieces similar to the Chinese style using underglaze cobalt blue with a heaping effect but with more graceful and willowy brushstrokes over a soft white paste stoneware. The Vietnamese exported their ceramics to southeast Asia and the Philippines.

One with chip to rim and some short hairlines; the other bowl with restoration at rim; some chips to foot rim.