[Collector's Edition] The Hidden Stories in Patterns and Shapes: A Guide to Loving Vietnamese Traditional Pottery "Song Be Ware" Even More
Hello, this is Meg from ít ít Việt Nam.
"Song Be pottery" is a traditional Vietnamese ceramic ware, handmade and hand-painted by artisans, giving it a rustic and warm charm. While Song Be pottery is retro and cute, did you know that each painted design and unique shape is packed with the history of Vietnam and the wisdom of its people's daily lives?
This time, we will unravel and introduce the heartwarming stories behind the "four patterns" and "three unique shapes" of Song Be pottery, which will make your shopping experience ten times more enjoyable if you know them.
📍 Four Symbolic Patterns Reflecting Memories and Wishes of Life
1. Peach Blossoms (Hoa Đào)｜A "Sacred Flower" Drawn Solely from Imagination, a National Flower Never Seen Before
When you hear "Song Be pottery," the first thing that comes to mind is probably this vibrant floral pattern. You might think, "Oh, what a cute pink flower," but this is actually the most special pattern in Song Be pottery, filled with Vietnamese history and the artisans' incredible imagination.
While Vietnam is strongly associated with "lotus flowers" today, the "peach blossom" was formerly the national flower. However, peach blossoms prefer cold climates and only bloom near Hanoi in northern Vietnam. They couldn't even be cultivated in the warm southern region of Song Be (around present-day Binh Duong province).
In those days, infrastructure was not as developed as it is today, so peach blossoms from the north were never transported to the south for the New Year. This means that Song Be pottery artisans in the south had never seen a real peach blossom.
"What do the beautiful peach blossoms that symbolize our country look like?"
The artisans relied solely on "word-of-mouth rumors" from travelers from the north, and with their imaginations stretched to the limit, they drew this flower. That's why the peach blossoms on Song Be pottery are not limited to just real pink. Some artisans use blue, others gray or yellow... They are painted in astonishingly colorful and free hues.
You might be surprised and ask, "Is this a peach blossom?" But it is a gentle and precious crystallization of imagination, drawn by artisans who yearned for the unseen national flower of their homeland.
2. Chicken (Con Gà)｜A Cherished Family Member That Announced Dawn Before Clocks Existed
The chicken motif is often seen on Southeast Asian ceramics. Vietnam was originally a thriving agricultural country, and in a time before clocks, chickens were "important family members who told time" for farmers.
Every morning, they would crow at the exact same time, letting people know the start of the day. Because they were so deeply intertwined with daily life and indispensable, almost like family, artisans began to depict them on many everyday ceramic pieces.
3. Pomegranate (Quả Lựu)｜A Hidden Gem Stamp Pattern Symbolizing Happiness
Pomegranates are auspicious fruits in Vietnam, symbolizing "happiness." In fact, among Song Be pottery, they are a hidden popular item known to those in the know.
What's good about it is its very calm overall color scheme. This makes it an excellent match for food, enhancing it without overpowering it. The simple stamp pattern is applied freely by the artisans each time, deciding "how to balance the impression." Therefore, each piece is unique with slightly different arrangements and balances. Please try to find the pomegranate design that catches your eye the most in the shop.
4. Dragonfly (Chuồn Chuồn)｜The "Weather Forecaster" That Supported Rural Life
Dragonflies were a favorite motif for artists born in Vietnamese rural villages. In an era before weather forecasts, dragonflies were "important insects that told the weather" for farmers.
In Vietnam, there has long been a proverb: "If dragonflies fly high, tomorrow will be clear; if they fly low, tomorrow will be rainy." They were indispensable for farmers to plan their daily agricultural tasks. Because they looked up at the sky every day and observed dragonflies, they naturally became a motif for pottery.
💡 A Miracle If You Find It! The "Phantom Rare Pattern" to Look for in Stores
In addition to the basic patterns, there are rare items that collectors eagerly seek:
- With Place Name/Year: Items where the name of the village where it was made or a year like "1970" is written in a vintage style somewhere on the pottery.
- Moon Festival Pattern: Precious limited-time designs featuring motifs of autumn events like the moon and lanterns.
These are treasures that rarely appear on the market precisely because they are not mass-produced. They sometimes appear at ít ít Việt Nam's storefront, so please keep your eyes peeled and search for them!
📍 Beautiful Silhouettes Forged by History: "Three Shapes and Everyday Use"
Song Be pottery has interesting historical layers not only in its patterns but also in its "shapes."
■ "Oval Plates" Where French Food Culture Merges
Among the many round Asian ceramics, oval plates stand out with their stylish presence. These were born during the period when Vietnam was under French rule, as a form of culinary fusion to beautifully present Western appetizers and main meat or fish dishes.
Of course, they are perfect for serving prosciutto, cheese, or carpaccio, but they are also incredibly compatible with Japanese "grilled fish" and "gyoza"! This excellent silhouette is incredibly versatile, with Japanese staple side dishes that are rectangular or oval fitting perfectly.
■ "Rimmed Plates" That Make Dishes Rich and Delicious
Rimmed plates have a raised edge. In ancient northern Vietnam, when food was scarce, these plates were created as a piece of life wisdom, designed "so that even a small amount of food would look abundant and rich through the magic of the vessel." They are highly recommended for their stackability, allowing them to be neatly stored in a cupboard, and for creating exquisite "negative space" around dishes, making everyday meals look professionally elegant.
■ "Decagonal Plates" That Elevate Western Shapes with Asian Auspiciousness
In the 1970s and 80s, octagonal plates (octagonal) were popular in France. Based on this design, which was brought to Vietnam by the French, polygonal plates also began to be made in Song Be pottery.
But this is where Vietnam gets interesting! In Vietnam, a cultural sphere of China and Asia, the number "10" is considered overwhelmingly more auspicious than "8", meaning "perfect in every way, without a single flaw" or a perfect score. Therefore, it is said that the Western octagon was transformed into a more auspicious "decagon" by Vietnamese artisans and firmly took root. The hand-finished edges make this plate modern and stunningly beautiful.
Bring Your Unique Pottery to the Table, Along with Its Story
The rooster announcing the morning, the artisan's whimsical pomegranate, the dragonfly that changed the weather. And the oval plates with a hint of French charm, or the decagonal plates symbolizing a perfect score.
Song Be pottery is not just "cute Vietnamese tableware"; it is a living story, packed with the history and gentle prayers of the Vietnamese people.
Nắng Ceramic and ít ít Việt Nam, located just a 2-minute walk from Ben Thanh Market, carefully display Song Be pottery with such endearing backstories.
Please take your time to explore our cool, air-conditioned store, reflect on the historical narratives, and find your favorite piece that will enrich your daily life a little.
ít ít Việt Nam Physical Store Information 📍
Ho Chi Minh City Store: Just a short walk from Ben Thanh Market!
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📍3rd floor, 14 Đ. Nguyễn An Ninh, Bến Thành, Quận 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
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⏰10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
🚶2-minute walk from Ben Thanh Market
💳Cash & credit cards accepted
Hoi An Store: While strolling through the Old Town
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📍567 Đ. Hai Bà Trưng, Phường Minh An, Hội An, Quảng Nam
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⏰10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
🚶Approx. 10-minute walk from Hoi An Japanese Bridge
💳Cash & credit cards accepted
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Our staff looks forward to seeing you in Vietnam! ♡
