The hobby of collecting antique glazed ceramic vases.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of modern life, the hobby of collecting antique glazed ceramic vases is quietly spreading in every home, reminding us of the traditional values ​​of our ancestors.

Ceramic products with traditional glazes from Bat Trang pottery village ( Hanoi ) and Chu Dau pottery village (Hai Phong) are the most popular among consumers.

Beauty in simplicity

In recent years, in the living spaces of many families in the port city, alongside gleaming glass vases or modern decorations, there has been an increasing number of antique-style ceramic vases. Unpretentious and simple, these vases quietly occupy a prominent corner, enough to make viewers pause and feel a unique sense of peace.

Ms. Hoang Anh Thu, who lives on Le Van Thuyet Street (Le Chan Ward), is one such person. She says she's been "drawn" to antique glazed ceramic vases without even realizing it. It might be a round vase with a slightly flared mouth, a surface that isn't entirely smooth, and even rough in places. However, the glaze covering the outside, with its muted colors, leaning towards green, brown, or earthy yellow, possesses a strange allure.

"Looking at those vases, I feel a strong sense of familiarity, as if I'm reliving the old lifestyle of my grandparents," Ms. Thu shared. To find vases that perfectly match her taste, she spends a lot of time researching antique ceramics and traditional glazes online, then orders them directly from Bat Trang pottery village. Each time she finds a vase she likes, she cherishes it and carefully places it in suitable locations in her home. To date, her living space has quite a few antique glazed ceramic vases, each with its own unique color and shape, creating a harmonious and warm overall atmosphere.

Sharing the same passion, Ms. Nguyen Thi Le in Thanh Dong ward finds solace in antique glazed ceramic vases as a way to soothe the rhythm of daily life. For Ms. Le, these vases are not just decorative items but also spiritual focal points for her home. She chooses vases in warm, simple colors, arranging them skillfully in the living room. Amidst the modern sofa set, the crackle-glazed or antique brown-glazed ceramic vase creates just the right amount of contrast, making the space feel elegant without being cold.

“Every time guests come to visit, they notice and ask about these vases. I feel happy that I can share a traditional beauty right in my own home,” Ms. Le said. For her, collecting antique glazed ceramic vases is not a flashy hobby or a fad, but a deliberate choice, reflecting an aesthetic taste focused on depth and lasting value, stemming from a love for vases with simple beauty.

A vase with a raised, crackle-glazed design in turquoise blue is a favorite of Ms. Hoang Anh Thu, who lives on Le Van Thuyet Street (Le Chan Ward).

Honoring traditional values

It's no coincidence that ancient glazes have such enduring vitality. In the history of Vietnamese pottery, ancient glazes are not just a technique but also the crystallization of the life, culture, and soul of the Vietnamese people through many generations. The late artisan Ha Ba Dinh – one of the first people involved in restoring the ancient Chu Dau pottery (Nam Sach commune) – once shared that the beauty of ancient pottery lies in its simplicity and rusticity. These glazes are created from natural materials, closely linked to the daily lives of the people, and therefore clearly reflect the breath of life.

Traditional values ​​don't lie in ostentation, but rather in the shape of each vase, each layer of glaze, silently enduring through time. It is this quality that allows traditional glazed ceramics, despite countless changes, to remain unforgotten and, on the contrary, to be even more cherished in contemporary life.

In the days leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year), strolling through streets in Hai Phong such as Lach Tray, Ho Sen, Ton Duc Thang, Tran Tat Van, Nguyen Luong Bang, etc., it's easy to spot ceramic vases with traditional glazes for sale. Especially in the evening, under the shimmering lights, the warm, rich glaze colors stand out even more, evoking an atmosphere of togetherness and nostalgia.

A family in Tan Ky commune keeps a handcrafted ceramic vase with a mahogany brown glaze in their kitchen, using it both as a decorative item and to hold familiar flowers from their garden.

Mr. Hoang Van Quan, a small business owner selling pottery on Lach Tray Street, said that in recent years, pottery products with "ancient" shapes and colors have been much more popular during Tet (Lunar New Year), especially those from Bat Trang pottery village (Hanoi) and Chu Dau pottery village (Hai Phong). They prefer glazes that aren't too vibrant and have a sense of depth. Prices vary depending on size, shape, and glaze type, but are quite diverse, suitable for many different needs, from decorating living rooms to giving as Tet gifts.

The growing interest in antique glazed ceramic vases reflects a significant shift in aesthetic tastes. As material living standards improve, people tend to seek out more enduring, spiritual values. Amidst a plethora of gleaming, meticulously crafted industrial products, antique glazed ceramic vases, with their handcrafted details and inherent non-uniformity, become particularly valuable.

Collecting antique glazed ceramic vases is therefore not just a personal hobby, but also contributes to illuminating a traditional value of the nation in contemporary life. In Hai Phong, the increasing presence of antique glazed ceramic vases in every home is proof of the need to reconnect with roots and preserve cultural beauty in a very unique and down-to-earth way.

NGOC THANH

Source: https://baohaiphong.vn/thu-choi-binh-gom-men-xua-535382.html