This is a classic example of Yue ware – a thin layer of green glaze over a finely potted, greyish stoneware body, and minimum surface ornamentation. The glaze of Yue ware ranges from a yellowish to greyish-green color. Considered the ancestor of Chinese celadons, Yue ware had great influence on the decorative styles of ceramics from other kilns in both north and south China. The small lugs on the shoulder of this vessel would have been used to fasten a lid.

This globular jarlet from the Cizao kiln is covered in a signature lead and green glaze, and prominently features an auspicious amber dragon.

Fujian trade ceramics came to prominence in the Southern Song Dynasty (1127 – 1279) when the court moved to nearby Zhejiang province. The Quanzhou port in Fujian became China’s busiest trade hub for two centuries and has exported tradewares from Fujian kilns regularly to pre-Hispanic Philippines.

This jar shows typical floral decorations from central Vietnam, made by pressing large pattern molds onto the soft clay. Jars with similar designs were recovered from the Pandanan, a 15th- century shipwreck off the coast of Palawan.

15th-century Vietnamese ceramics reflect the country’s great historical and cultural divide. Dai Viet in the north showed strong Chinese influence owing to long subjugation by its northern neighbors, while the kingdom of Vijaya in Central Vietnam had strong Indic influence from Angkor in Cambodia.

This boat-shaped figurine with iron-spotted decorations shows the affinity of our ancestors with sea travel. It was found on an island two hours away from the nearest island of Mindoro by boat. Ceramic figurines found in grave sites throughout China and Southeast Asia present clues to the lifestyle and values of our ancestors.