Vietnamese Glazed Stoneware 'Bình Vôi', Early 19th Century
Vietnamese Glazed Stoneware 'Bình Vôi', Early 19th Century
7621
A distinctive Vietnamese glazed stoneware lime pot, or 'bình vôi', dating from the early 19th century. This handsome vessel has a tall, gently tapering ovoid body, a short flared neck, two applied loop handles at the shoulder, and a small circular ring foot. The rich olive-brown glaze has developed a particularly appealing depth and variation over time, with warm terracotta tones visible in places where the glaze has worn.
The large circular aperture to the front is an intentional and essential element of the traditional form. 'Bình vôi' were used to hold slaked lime, a key ingredient in the preparation of betel quid. A small spoon, spatula, or knife would be inserted through the opening to remove the lime, which was then spread on a betel leaf before it was wrapped around areca nut. The wide-aperture design made the pot both practical for daily use and instantly recognisable within the traditional Vietnamese betel set.
The paired handles and carefully formed neck contribute to the vessel's unusually sculptural quality. While functional in origin, the form has a quiet architectural strength: the elongated body, projecting aperture, and softly rounded handles give it an engaging presence from every angle. These pots were familiar objects in Vietnamese domestic life, associated with hospitality, social ritual, and the enduring custom of offering betel to guests.
A wonderfully characterful example of early 19th-century Vietnamese domestic ceramics. The surface displays natural kiln variation, glaze wear, minor losses, and irregularities accumulated through age and use, all contributing to its authenticity and visual appeal. Today, it would sit beautifully within a collection of Southeast Asian ceramics, antique stoneware, or objects with a strong sculptural and historic character.
Dimensions:
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