The jar, preserved and displayed at the Hai Duong Museum, was recently recognized by the Government as a national treasure. The artifact was found when people dug a grave at the Hiep An commune cemetery in Hai Duong province on December 6, 1981.

As the diggers lacked knowledge about archaeological excavation, they accidentally broke three handles during the dig. However, the jar is still nearly intact, and original in structure, shape, and decorative pattern.

The Hiep An jar has a height of 45 centimeters and weight of 20 kilograms. The jar has a slightly flared lip, a low neck, and a curved body, tapering towards the bottom. This is a rare design, proving the uniqueness of the artifact.

The art of sculpture and painting is clearly shown on the jar. After covering the jar with a layer of white enamel, craftsmen laid out horizontal and vertical patterns on the jar body, separated and limited by hidden lines. Once shaped, the white enamel layer was carefully scraped, and the craftsmen painted a layer of brown enamel.

The process of engraving, scraping and glazing is a special technique, similar to the lacquer painting technique used by contemporary artists today. The "transformation" (through firing) created a very delicate and impressive aesthetic.

Scientists researching brown-glazed ceramics/brown-patterned ceramics believe that, from its inception, Vietnamese brown-patterned ceramics had a unique technique. That is why researchers honor and praise brown-flowered ceramics, considering it a characteristic element that creates a distinct tradition of Vietnamese glazed ceramics.

The decorative patterns on the Hiep An brown-patterned ceramic jars of the Tran Dynasty show a profound sense of time – Dai Viet’s Buddhist elements in the 13-14th centuries. Perhaps no other ceramic type is imbued with Buddhist elements like the brown patterned ceramics, with images of lotus flowers, lotus leaves and lotus stems displayed densely on every product.

With its shape, size and rarely seen decorative patterns, Hiep An Brown-patterned ceramic jars of the Tran Dynasty are truly rare pieces of art. The beauty of the jars is the combination of sculpture and painting with strong and coherent shapes, which depict content about daily life.

Tinh Le