Ceramic Elephant Stools in the Flow of Export and Integration: Aesthetic Adaptation and Functional Transformation at Vietnamese Ceramic Centers (1975–2025)

This article presents research results on the process of aesthetic adaptation and functional transformation of Vietnamese ceramic elephant stools in the context of export and international integration during the period 1975–2025. Based on the methods of art history, formal analysis, sociology of art, and field ethnography, the study surveyed and evaluated the influence of the international market on the decorative forms, glazes, and expressive techniques of ceramic elephant stools at three typical ceramic centers: Bat Trang, Lai Thieu, and Bien Hoa. Research results show that the export market has become an important driver promoting changes in sculptural language and decorative motifs, creating a multidimensional aesthetic adaptation process between national identity and international taste requirements. The contradiction between preserving identity and meeting market demands is a current reality, but it also creates positive compatibilities when many artisans have succeeded in combining traditional elements with contemporary requirements, enhancing the aesthetic value and competitiveness of the products. The study also points out significant differences in the degree and method of adaptation among the ceramic centers, reflecting the historical, technical, and cultural specificities of each locality.