BAT TRANG CERAMICS
	Vietnamese ceramic craft has a long history dating back thousands of year. Archeological findings at Vinh Phu province indicates pottery turning wheels existed in Viet Nam about 5,000 years ago. During the Ly's (11-13th century), the Tran's (13-15th century), the Le's (15-16th century) and the Mac's (16th century), Viet Nam produced large amount of ceramic wares for its domestic consumption and trade to many East and South East Asian countries and as far as to the Middle East. Of the many ceramic-producing villages in Viet Nam, Bat Trang village was the most famous. Bat Trang Ceramics through History Bat Trang is generally referred to a commune of two villages, Bat Trang and Giang Cao, situated in the outskirts of Hanoi along the bank of Hong (Red) river. According to Vietnamese annals, migrant potters from Thanh Hoa province established Bat Trang village in the mid-14th century. Being conveniently located near the capital city, and with readily access of river transportation, Bat Trang soon became an important industrial and commercial center. At the time, the area had numerous deposits of white clay necessary for production of ceramic wares. These factors helped the Bat Trang ceramic craft to flourish and its products were widely circulated to other regions of the country. In the late 15th century, Bat Trang had been well known for producing the best quality ceramics in the country. Many of these ceramic pieces were customized for aristocratic families and religious needs. These pieces included inscription of the year of production, the name of the patron and the potter's name. Vietnamese annals also recorded in the 16th century, Bat Trang ceramics were offered as tribute to China in numerous occasions.
Following terrestrial discoveries in Asia in the early 17th century, many European countries rushed to the Far East to set up bases for commerce trading. Vietnamese ceramic industry continued to prosper, especially during the Mac's reign. Multiple shipments of ceramics were exported to Japan where the Bat Trang style was enthusiastically adapted by local kilns as "Kochi (Giao Chi) ware". Dutch, English and Portuguese merchants purchased Vietnamese ceramics in the hundred of thousands to resell in Malaya, Sumatra and Bangal. From the end of 17th, particularly in the 18th century, Vietnamese ceramics exported to South East Asian countries declined rapidly when the Chinese resumed its ceramic exports. Bat Trang ceramics were no longer exported and its products served mainly the domestic market. Today, Bat Trang still turn out large quantity of ceramic wares for both domestic and export markets. New designs and models as well as reproductions of ancient styles and glazes are very well received by art connoisseurs everywhere. CHARACTERISTICS OF BAT TRANG CERAMIC WARES The National Museum of Viet Nam History possesses a comprehensive collection of Bat Trang ceramic wares, which date from the 14th to the 19th century. The collection is divided in three groups of ware of different features and styles: Utilitarian ware (plates, bowls, teacups, kettles, wine bottles, flowerpots and vases): This type of ware has a thicker and heavier body compared to the Chinese ceramics. The utilitarian wares are mostly covered with ivory, moss green or brown glaze. Common designs used on utilitarian wares were sacred and ordinary animals such as dragon, phoenix, tortoise, horse, tiger, bird, floral scroll, and landscape scenery. Cult ware (lamp stands, candle holders, incense burner and altar boxes): This type of Bat Trang ceramics were produced predominantly for religious needs. Many of these pieces, especially the lamp stands, carried intricate molding applied around the body. Bat Trang cult wares are well known for their elaborate design and meticulous crafting. Decorative objects (house models, altars, statues and architectural fixtures): These objects usually carried very complex design of mythical and religious theme. Bat Trang tiles and architectural fixtures are also known to be used in the construction of the imperial court in Hue in the early 1800's. Minh Bui References: Gom Bat Trang The Ky 14-19th