This shard with underglaze blue decoration was originally a tile made for the Javanese market during the 15th century. The cobalt possibly came from West Asia. Tiles were specially commissioned for the Majapahit centres in East Java. Similar tiles still embellish the walls, minarets, and gates in the mosques of Demak and Kudus today. By the 14th century, Vietnam was exporting large volumes of wares to Southeast Asia, notably Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. It was the only Southeast Asian country to produce blue and white ceramics, a tradition which originated in China.
