No, 111 and Guan jar No. 114), or Da Ming Wanli nian zhi (blue-and-white bottle No. 85). The characters are always distributed into two lines under the base of the artifacts. Exceptionally, fragment of the base of a blue-and-white bowl bears only two characters Da Ming. The inscription in incising can be found only on the fragment of the base of a yellow glazed vase with six characters, which read - Da Ming Chenghua nian zhi in standard script. The inscriptions are usually distributed into two lines under the base of the artifacts. In this collection there is no inscriptions in seal script. These findings could be supplemented to the collection of marks on the Chinese ceramics and porcelain by Gerald Davison(7). 3. THE ISSUE OF IMITATION In the store of the National Museum of Vietnamese History, although several artifacts bear inscription of Ming reigns, yet they could have been produced at a later date in China or other countries. These objects include blue-and-white, splashed glaze, white glaze or polychrome-on- white wares. In the plates, from No. 153 to 175, we present some samples of this type for readers" reference, Some objects bear inscription written in blue-and-white that read Xuande nian zht (blue-and-white bowl, No 158), or Chenghua nian zht (blue-and-white bowls, Nos. 157 & 159) under the base, or Yongle ntan zht (blue-and-white bowl, No. 156) in the center, or Da Ming Wanli nian zht (polychrome incense burner, No. 174) on the mouth rim, etc. We have verified the accurate date for each item (see plates from No, 153 to 175). Particularly the blue- and-white bowl (No. 154) was acknowledged by Japanese experts to be made in Japan during the period between 1640 - 1650, identical to Hizen style), Inthe Museum’ store, there is also a group of objects with similar characteristics: the regnal mark was incised on a square patch coated with brown wash on the base. The mark seen on objects this group is only of Chenghua reign, including a white glaze vase with applied depicting a battle scene (No. 169), splashing glaze meiping vase (No. 170), crackled white glaze with applied in brown biscuit, depicting two dragons chasing pearl and a crane (Nos. 167 & 168); some jars and vases in blue- and-white or polychrome with brown bands surrounding the trunk (Nos. 161 - 166). Comparing these objects with three blue-and-white vases inscribed with a regnal mark of Kangxi period, Qing Dynasty, we concluded that the aforementioned group of wares must be of a much Jater date than their marks. Identically, the decorative motif on the three Kangxi vases (brown biscuit band incised with floral and leaf design) is exactly the same as those items with Chenghua mark. Therefore, we assume this group wares must have been reproduced during Kangxi period (1662 - 1722) at the earliest, or even at a later date. Notes: (1) Nguyen Dinh Chien & Michae! Flecker, 2002, p. 120 (2) Nguyen Dinh Chien & Le Thanh Ha, 1997, p. 581 and 1998, p, 443 @) Le Thanh Ha, 1998, p.193. (4) Le Thi Thanh Ha, 1998, (5) Wirgin, Jan, 1979. (6) Pham Quoc Quan & Tong Trung Tin, 2000, p. 81, plate M4480. © Davison, Gerald, pp. 88, 94 & 120 (8) Remark by Dr. Hiroko Nishida, Nezu Institute of Fine Arts, Tokyo, Japan.Tai li¢u tham khao - References ADDIS, JOHN M. 1959. Yung Lo blue-and-white. Oriental Art (New series) N° 5, 1968. The dating of Chinese porcelain found in the Philippines. Philippine Studies, Manila. N° 16. 1970. Chinese porcelain found tn the Philippines. Transactions of the Oriental Ceramic Society, London, N° 37, p.I7- 35. ADHYATMAN, SUMARAH 1999. Zhangzhou (Swatow) ceramics sixteenth to seventeenth centuries found in Indonesia. The ceramic society of Indonesia, Jakarta - Indonesia, BLUETT, EDGAR E. 1948. The dating of Early Ming blue-and-white. Oriental Art N° 1. DAVISON, GERALD 1994. The handbook of marks on Chinese ceramics. London. HOBSON, R. L. 1923. The wares of the Ming dynasty. London. LE THANH HA 1998. Siau tap géim sit c6 ght khdc nién higu Minh - Thank tat Vién Bao tang Lich sie Viét Nam. Vien Bao tang Lich sit Viet Nam. Thong béo khoa hoc, tr. 193 - 201. Lf THY THANH HA 1998. Suu tp gém sit co ghi khdc nién higu Minh - Thank tai Vign Bao tang Lich si Vigt Nam. Luan 4n Thac si sir hoc. Tu ligu Thur vin Truong Dai hoc Khoa hgc xa hoi va Nhan van LION GOLDSCHMIDT, DAISY 1957. Les poterles et porcelaines Chinolses. Pari. 1978. Ming porcelain, Thames & Hudson, Great Britain. LY LUQC TAM - HUYNH NGQC TRANG 1996. 800 mdu hoa van dé cé Trung Quéc. NXB My thuat. MAK, PHILIP 1998. The Chinese collection at the GBR Museum. Makati city Philippines. NGUYEN DINH CHIEN - LE THANH HA. 1997. DB sited ght nlén higu "Dal Mink ntén tao". NPHM..., NXB Khoa hoc xa hoi, Ha NOI, tr. 581-582. 1998. Vé nhuing dé sit Trung Quéc cé déiu khde trong 8 vudng phti men ndu. NPHM..., NXB Khoa hoc xa hoi. Ha Noi, tr.443-445, NGUYEN DINH CHIEN - MICHAEL FLECKER 2003. Bao cdo két qua khat quét khdo cé hoc didi meéc tau 6 Bink Thuan (2001 - 2002). Ha Noi. Tu lieu Bao tang Lich str Viet Nam, ORIENTAL CERAMIC SOCIETY OF HONG KONG 1975. Chinese Blue-and-White Porcelain (Catalogue of the Society's exhibition). 3536 PHAM QUOC QUAN VA TONG TRUNG TIN 2000. Bao cdo khat qudt tau 6 Ci Lao Cham, Quang Nam (1997 - 1999), Ha Noi. Tw lieu Bao tang Lich sit Viet Nam. PHUNG TIRU MINE, 1965. Nhang thu hoach chit yéiu v8 khdo cttu dd dat cd men Trung Quéc. Van vat, s6 9, (chi Trung Quéc). QUOC GIA VAN VAT CUC CHU BIEN 1995. Trung Quéc van vat tink hoa dat tir dién (chit Trung Quéc). Thuong Hai, 1995. ‘TON DOANE CHAU 1959. Ban vé gidm dinh db sik Nguyén, Minh, Thanh. Van vat, 36 11 (chit Trung Quéc). TRG BAO XUONG 1984, Minh Thanh tic khi gidm dinh. Trung Hoa thu cuc thuong cng phan cuc (chit Trung Quéc). ‘TRUYEN DUONG 1957. Dd gém thank hoa that Minh. NXB Nghé thuat c6 dién Trung Quéc (chit Trung Quéc, Truong Bite Vinh dich). TU DUY MINH - DUONG DAN TONG (CHU BIEN) 1992. Trung Qué c6 dat tic kht gidm thudng tic dién, Bac Kinh (chit Trung Quéc). ‘VUONG HONG SiN 1972a. Khdo vé dB sic Trung hoa. Sai Gon. 1972b. Canh Ditc tran dao lye. Sai Gon. 1990. Tht chot c6 ngoan. NXB Thanh phd Ho Chi Minh. WIRGIN, JAN 1979. Sung ceramics designs. London. ‘YEO, 8.7. & JEAN MARTIN 1978, Chinese Blue and White ceramics. Arts oriental: Singapore. 1972. Vain vat dao duoc & Trung Quée méi. NXB Ngoai van Béc Kinh (chtr Trung Quéc). 1975. A handbook of Chinese ceramics. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. New York. 1990, Hizen wares abroad the 10th Anniversary special exhibition. The Kyushu ceramic museum. 1990, Illustrated catalogue of Tokyo National Museum Chinese ceramic II. 1992. Chinese and South-East Asian white wares found in the Philippines. (The Oriental Ceramics Society of the Philippines, Oxford University Press). 1994, Important Chinese ceramics. Christie's Swire. Hongkong. Monday - 31 Octorber.BAN ANH PLATESa. Ban anh gom str thoi Minh thé ky 15 - 17 Plates of the Ming ceramics from the 15th to 17th centuries 1, Bat sit hoa lam - LSb 15843. ‘Thanh ngoai va trong long vé nhieu anh hoa, Ia, qua. Chan dé ve bang day la hinh sin, Dudt dé viet sau chit Han men lam Dat Mink Tuyén Baie nién ché (1426 - 1435) Dkm. 22,5em; C. 8,lem. Blue and white bowl with design of floral sprays, fruit. Footing decorated with a band of classic scrolls. The base writed with six blue glaze Chinese characters: Da Ming Xuande nian zhi (1426 - 1435). MD.:22.5em; H.: 8.lem. 38Bat sti hoa lam - LSb 22573 Thanh ngoai vé bang tam giae, ba con nga phi xen ké ba cum may lia. Long bait vé mot canh hoa vi bang hoa bon canh trong hinh tho. The ky 16. Dkm: 14,5em; C. Tem. Téng cue Hai quan ban giao. Blue and white bowl decorated outside with triangular band, three galloping horses and flame clouds. ‘The inside with design of a flower and a lozenge diaper pattern on the rim. 16th century. MD.: 14,Sem; H.: Jem ‘Transfered from The Customs General Department. 39Bit sti hoa lam - LSb 22571. ‘Trong long vé day hoa la. Thanh ngoai ve tng, hoa mai. Dui dé viet bén cha Han men lam Tuyén Bic nién tao (1426 - 1435). Dkr. 18,2cm; C. 8,7em. Blue and white bowl with design of floral sprays inside. The outside with design of pine tree and apricot flower. On the base writed with four blue glaze Chinese characters: Xuande nian zhao (1426 - 1435). MD.: 18.2em; H.: 8.7em. Bat st hoa lam - LSb 20367. Trong long vé day hoa li. Thanh ngoai ve ting, hoa mai. Dui dé viet bn cht Han men lam Dai Minh nién tao. The ky 14-17. km, 18cm; C. 8,7em, Blue and white bowl with design of floral sprays inside. The outside with design of pine tree and appricot flower. On the base writed with four blue glaze Chinese characters: Da Ming nian zhao. 14th - 17th century. MD.: 18cm; H.: 8.7em,5, Bat stt hoa lam - LSb 15902. ‘Trong long vé day hoa Ia. Thanh ngoai ve ting, hoa mai. Dudi dé viét bon chur Han men lam Van phiic du dong. Thé ky 16. Dkm. 18cm; C. Sem. Blue and white bowl with design of floral sprays inside. The outside with design of pine tree and appricot flower. (On the base writed with four blue glaze Chinese characters: Wan fir yu tong. 16th century. MD.: 18cm; : Sem. 6. Bat sti hoa lam - LSb 24838. Long vé mot bong hoa hinh chi thap. ‘Thanh ngoat phi men lam sam. The ky 15. Dkm. 17,3m; C. 7,6em. Khai quat tau e6 Cu lao Cham (Quang Nam, 1997 - 1999). Blue and white bowl with design of a flower with cross form inside and the outside is covered dark blue glaze. 15th century, MD.: 17.3cm; H.: 7.6em. Found from shipwreck excavation at off - shore Cham island (Quang Nam province, 1997 - 1999). 4142 |. Bat stt hoa lam - LSb 24340. Long ve mot bong hoa cic, bén khom cay, bang hot van, Thanh ngoai vé bang song nude. The ky 15, km. 16,5cm; C. 7,8cm. Khai quat tau cé Cu Lao Cham (Quang Nam, 1997 - 1999). Blue and white bowl with design of a chrysanthemum flower in the centre, four clumps and keyfrets design. The outside decorated with wave band. 15th century. ID.: 16.5cm; H.: 7.8m. Found from shipwreck excavation at off - shore Cham island (Quang Nam province, 1997 - 1999).Bat stt hoa lam - LSb 24339. Long vé mot bong hoa cuc va hoi van cha "S". Thanh ngoai ve bang hoa van song née. ‘The ky 15. Dkm, 14,8em; C. 7,3em, Khai quat tau ¢6 Cu lao Cham (Quang Nam, 1997 - 1999). Blue and white bowl with design of a chrysanthemum flower in the centre and keyfrets design. The outside decorated with wave band 15th century. MD.: 14.8em; H.: 7.3em. Found from shipwreck excavation at off - shore Cham island (Quang Nam province, 1997 - 1999).9. Bat sit hoa lam - LSb 22568. Long vé c4, séng nude. Thanh ngoai ve hai rong von ngoc, song nude va may. Dudi dé viét séu cha Han men lam Dai Minh Tuyén Bite nién ché (1426 - 1435). Dkm. 15om; C. 8om. ‘Téng cuc Hai quan ban giao, Blue and white bowl with design of a fish and waves inside and two dragons playing with a gem, waves and clouds outside. On the base writed with six blue glaze Chinese characters: Da ‘Ming Xuande nian zhi (1426 - 1435), MD.: 15cm; H.: 8.0cm. Transfered from The Customs General Department10. Bat str hoa lam - LSb 15918. Long ve rong, may va bang hot van hinh chu "T". Thanh ngoai vé hai dot rong - phuong va may. Dui dé viet sau chir Han men lam Bai Minh Tuyén Bie nién ché (1426 - 1435). Dkm. 20cm; C. 10,5em. Blue and white bow! with design of dragon, clouds and band of “T" character shape inside. The outside decorated with ‘wo pairs of dragon - phoenix and clouds. On the base writed with six blue glaze Chinese characters: Da Ming Xwande nian zhi (1426 - 1435). MD.: 20cm; H.: 10.5em.46 11, Bat sit hoa lam - LSb 15840, Long vé mot cham qua twu, day Ié va bing hdi van. Thanh ngoai vé day hoa la xen ké b6n 6 hinh hoa, bang canh sen. Dudi dé viet bén chit Han men lam Thanh Hod nién ché'(1465 - 1487). Dkm, 17,5em; C. 8,3em Blue and white bowl with design of pomegranate bunch in centre and a keyfrets pattern on the rim. The outside decorated with floral sprays alternated with four diaper medallions of pomegranate sprays. On the base writed with four blue glaze Chinese characters: Chenghwa nlan zhi (1465 - 1487). MD.: 17.5em; H.: 8.3enBat stt hoa lam - LSb 15841. Long va thanh ngoai vé hoa sen, day 1a va chit Phan. Duoi dé viet b6n chit Han men lam Thanh Hod nién ché (1465 - 1487). km. 15,lem; C. 8,4cm. Blue and white bowl with design of lotus, floral sprays and Sanskrit character. On the base writed with four blue glaze Chinese characters: Chenghua nian zhi (1465 - 1487) MD.: 15.lem; H.: 8.4em. 4713, Bat stt hoa lam - LSb 15913. Gia long viét mot chit HY trong vong tron kép. Thanh ngoai vé day lé cudn xen ké b6n 6 tron, trong méi 6 viét mot chit Han Van cd trudmg xudn. Thé kj 16 - 17. Dkm. 14,9em; C. 7,2em. Biue and white bowl with design of a Chinese character Xi (Joy) encircled by a double band in the centre. The outside decorated with floral scroll alternated with four circles of four blue glaze Chinese chracters: A long ancestry keeps life like everlasting spring. 16th - 17th century. MD.: 14.9m; H.: 7.2cm. 4814, Bat sti hoa lam - LSb 21595. Gita long viét mot chu Hy trong vong tron kép. Thanh ngoai vé day la cuén xen ké bon 6 tron, trong méi 6 viét mot chat Hain Phuomg truyn van c6. The ky 16-17. Dim. 15em; C. 7,3em. Blue and white bowl with design of a Chinese character Xi (Joy) encircled by a double band in the centre. The outside with floral scroll alternating with four circles of four blue glaze Chinese characters: Fang chuan wan gu loth - 17th century. MD.: 15em, H.: 7.3em 49