With 200 artifacts on display, the exhibition runs until December, offering an insight into the ceramics' role in daily life, religious architecture, and decoration of Saigon and neighboring communities.
Saigon pottery traces its origins back to the 18th century, with historical records referring to the Lo Gom Hamlet, as documented in "Gia Dinh Thanh Thong Chi", a significant historical and geographical book, offering insights into the southern region of Vietnam during the Nguyen Dynasty.
It is also recorded in General Tran Van Hoc’s map of Gia Dinh, a historical region in southern Vietnam, which was later incorporated into present-day Saigon.
The Ho Chi Minh City Museum is at 65 Ly Tu Trong Street, District 1.
Within the heart of the exhibition, visitors will encounter an array of Saigon ceramic antiques, many of which embody religious beliefs. These artifacts include worship statues and small statuette ensembles typically found adorning the roofs of communal houses belonging to Chinese and Vietnamese communities.
The small statues, often perched on the rooftops of Chinese communal houses and assembly halls in Cho Lon, also known as the Chinatown area, feature various characters and ancient tales.
These statues come in varying sizes, depicting characters and timeless tales, including the transformation of a carp into a dragon, Kim Dong and Ngoc Nu - two disciples of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, and scenes from Chinese operas.
In the center of the display stands the Jade Emperor statue, flanked by Nam Tao and Bac Dau, important figures in southern worship beliefs.
According to folklore, Nam Tao keeps records of births, while Bac Dau documents deaths, capturing the destiny of individuals from birth to death, determining their fortune amid the cycle of reincarnation.
Among the daily-life ceramics from Saigon showcased in the exhibition, visitors can find a variety of items such as jars, bowls, pedestals, cups, and plates.
Three wine bottles, adorned with green enamel, offer a glimpse into the past, with two of them still bearing Chinese inscriptions.
The exhibition also features two pedestals, over a century old. Pedestals are often made from porcelain or precious wood, serve as both pot displays and seating arrangements.
Candlesticks crafted from green enamel, made in early 20th-century Saigon, display a range of intricate designs and decorations.
The image of the unicorn, one of the four sacred animals in Asian folklore, adds an enchanting touch to the collection.
In addition to Saigon ceramics, the exhibition unveils French-made ceramics discovered in Saigon during the early 19th century. These ceramics, believed to have been brought by French merchants or commissioned by the local Vietnamese population, reflect the cultural exchanges that occurred during this period.
An early 20th-century French ceramic plate features an imprint of Saigon's Notre Dame Cathedral design.
