Branders.com, the largest online seller of promotional items, is releasing the Best Buys Catalog 2012. The Best Buys selection features promotional products that have been made up to 20% more affordable than anywhere else on the Internet.

The promotional items are cheaper than even most products sold at http://www.branders.com, since these are sourced directly from in-house factories. Whereas other giveaways are obtained from distributors, the Best Buys are offered without a middleman?s fee. This decreases production costs, and the savings are passed on to customers.

The Best Buys Catalog 2012 is a collection of the company?s top-selling items, all at the lowest possible prices. These include tried-and-tested choices such as ceramic mugs, tote bags, pens, and caps, but there are fresh ideas as well: computer dust brushes, dynamo flashlights, acrylic tumblers, and fleece scarves and blankets. As with all of Branders.com?s products, the Best Buys for the new year comes with On-time Shipment and 100% Satisfaction guarantees, which promise to give the customer his order for free if products arrive delayed or are of lower quality than expected.

The Catalog is available exclusively to registered customers at http://www.branders.com. They only need to request a copy from their personal account manager. Those who have not bought from Branders.com can simply sign up and ask for the Catalog from the personal account manager that will be immediately assigned to them upon registration.

The promotional items featured in the 2012 Best Buys Catalog are divided according to their prices: Under $ 1, Between $ 1 and $ 3, Between $ 3 and $ 5, and Above $ 5. The products are presented with essential details such as imprint methods, materials and colors available, and delivery time, so that customers will find it easy to compare options and get the best value for their budget.

Also in the Best Buys Catalog are practical shopping tips to help customers choose premiums better, as well as some valuable industry insight, like which promotional products are more effective in marketing campaigns.

Additionally, Branders.com is launching the Customer Picks Catalog 2012. This is a selection of stories about how some its customers have most successfully achieved great results from investing in its promotional products. Here, these customers share great ideas you can adopt to build your brand today, whether you?re a sole proprietor or part of a Fortune 500 enterprise, or perhaps working for a nonprofit.

Sign up at Branders.com now to get the Best Buys and Customer Picks Catalogs, and to enjoy the best deals and lowest prices on promotional items, comprehensive customization services, and expert, thorough assistance.

About Branders.com

Founded in 2001, Branders.com is the low-cost leader in the promotional products industry. A seven-time recipient of the Promotional Products Association International Gold Award for Best Website, Branders has been cited by Harvard Business School Publishing?s Strategy & Innovation for its ?unique business model? that has ?[upended] an industry.? Visit http://www.branders.com.

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This Valentine?s Day, take a step out of the ordinary with TeNo.com?s line of unique stainless steel jewelry and designer mens watches. To assist couples in making decisions about what to get their special someone, TeNo.com offers many unique and creative jewelry for both men and women for this year’s Valentine?s Day holiday.

Colors can please everyone’s heart. TeNo.com?s color jewelry pieces highlight vivid gemstones studded in impressive designs to gift their beloved on Valentine’s Day. Gemstones with the color of love (red) can be gifted in by picking out precious pink sapphires or red pearls.

TeNo.com?s MemoRo Pendants are unique message capsules with screw-off tops and contain three pieces of paper where you can write a message of your choice to your Valentine.The water proof capsule unscrews to put the message in and comes with a special MemoRo box.

Not only does TeNo.com have many unique jewelry designs for women, they also have many options for men. The TeNo10 collection offers your Valentine a quality timepiece like no other. These distinctive timepieces are available in ten different dial colors and can be purchased on TeNo.com or at select fine retail stores.

TeNo.com also has many attractive and unique stainless steel cufflinks. Some have combined elements of ceramic and diamonds and all are exclusive designs.

“Valentine’s Day is a wonderful time for people to show their love for one another. TeNo is delighted to help our customers make this special day one that they will always remember with a unique and treasured jewelry pieces,” said Nadine Kluger, Marketing Director of TeNo.com.

To find out more about TeNo.com?s unique and creative jewelry, please visit their website at TeNo.com. To become a fan of TeNo.com’s Facebook page and learn more about their current contests, promotions, and communicate with other fans, please ?like? them today at http://www.facebook.com/tenocom.

About TeNo.com: TeNo products are crafted by prestigious German jewelry and watch manufacturer, Heinz Schwarz, GmbH, and distributed throughout the world. TeNo uses new and progressive materials in their creations. TeNo mixes rubber and ceramics with diamonds, sapphires, gold, pearls, wood and steel to design a unique concept for a modern lifestyle, expressing elements of both tradition and innovation. TeNo jewelry and watches are made from the finest stainless steel that is free of nickel. With this successful concept, Tenology is sweeping the nation.

Media Contact:

Nadine Kluger

800-360-2586

nadine(at)teno(dot)com

http://www.teno.com

# # #

A research study conducted by the Interactive Media in Retail Group (IMRG) reported that the online fashion retail industry demonstrated exponential growth ? an astonishing 2,000% ? from 2001 to 2011. Additionally, Forrester published statistics indicating that US online retail sales grew 12.6% in 2010 to reach $ 176.2 billion, with the ecommerce market expected to reach $ 278.9 billion in 2015. As more consumers shop online, performance marketing is becoming an increasingly attractive channel for fashion advertisers, where a broad range of online partnership opportunities exist, each providing clear and measureable results.

Global affiliate network, buy.at has seen a steady increase in the number of fashion retailers integrating affiliate campaigns into their online marketing strategies, with an aim to increase brand awareness, acquire new customers, and generate additional revenue. These include well-known global brands such as Accessorize, Lindsay Phillips, and T.M. Lewin. There are several factors that continue to drive double-digit growth for clothing retailers, including the emergence of new online shopping models such as flash sales and group-buying websites, both of which have displayed rapid growth and continue to drive consumer interest.

Popular British accessories retailer, Accessorize, recently expanded into the US market with much anticipation. Recognized by style icons and fashionistas worldwide, the trendy English brand is known as the accessories destination for the savvy and stylish consumer.

T.M Lewin is another British fashion brand that successfully launched in the US market. Established in 1898, T.M. Lewin offers a range of high-quality menswear. They have a highly successful track record for online sales, currently growing 60% year on year.*

Lindsay Phillips, the innovative and fashionable creator of SwitchFlops, has been a popular advertiser since their exclusive launch with buy.at in November 2009. Lindsay?s footwear concept evolved from a school art project of ceramic flip flops to become the patented shoe with ?infinite possibilities.? SwitchFlops are available online and in over 300 stores across the country.

Luxury fashion e-tailer STYLEBOP.com has grown to become one of the world’s largest luxury shopping internet sites. With nearly 2 million unique site visitors every month, there is a wealth of opportunities for publishers to drive traffic and generate sales.

Nick Cartwright, Head of Sales for buy.at US says: ?As the online fashion retail sector continues to see exponential growth, and more retailers turn to performance marketing, it becomes increasingly important for advertisers to stay ahead of the curve through the implementation of strategic campaigns and future planning. Leveraging the experience and expertise of network partners will help propel their affiliate programs and drive their online business through 2012.?

With growing numbers of fashion bloggers and style comparison sites looking for ways to monetize their sites, buy.at have ensured they provide all the necessary tools to enable these publishers to maximise their earnings. With award winning account manager Kim Salvino heading the Publisher Services team, a number of technologies designed to host effective linking methods, plus the recently introduced reduced payment thresholds, buy.at are in the perfect position to aid the continued growth of this sector.

Additional fashion retailers maximizing their online exposure through affiliate marketing programs with buy.at include Terraplana, Capulet London, Goddiva, Designers Guild (home fashion), The Hip Chick, and LN-CC.

*http://www.ecommera.com/news/press-releases/tm-lewin-ties-ecommera-international-online-push

For press enquiries:

Lisa Chaikin

PR Manager ? UK & US

Affiliate Window & buy.at

e: lisa.chaikin(at)digitalwindow(dot)com

t: 020 7553 0333

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More Ceramics Press Releases

In keeping with JMR?s mission to meet the ever-changing needs of men?s wedding ring buyers; the retailer is happy to offer a wide range of men?s black wedding rings for their customers. JMR customers have come to expect the greatest variety of metals from this online store, which prides itself for offering the best selection of men?s wedding bands and fashion rings on the Internet. As they add more collections to their ever-expanding inventory, many of their best sellers have been black rings in stainless steel, titanium, tungsten and ceramic.

In addition to their premium designer collections in gold, platinum, diamond, and Argentium silver, JMR was among the first online retailers to offer a selection of men?s black wedding bands. As gold prices rise and jewelry buyers become more practical in their selections, contemporary metals like titanium, tungsten and stainless steel offer shoppers an affordable alternative for their wedding ring purchase. According to JMR co-owner Roy Devine, ?We were surprised at how quickly men?s black wedding bands took off. At first we had a hard time keeping up with the demand, but now we?ve added even more collections of black rings, including black seranite and ceramic.?

JustMensRings.com has earned a solid reputation among retail jewelers for their incredible selection of traditional and alternative wedding bands and fashion rings in styles to match every man?s taste. After nearly seven years in this business, JustMensRings.com has become known as one of the most innovative retail marketers in the wedding ring industry. A major contributor to their success has been the retailer?s commitment to become an unparalleled resource for online shoppers in search of men?s rings. When shoppers search online for a unique style, such as men?s black rings, they always find what they want at JustMensRings.com, and perhaps more importantly they find it at the right price.

The owners of JMR were unsure if black wedding rings would be as popular as they are, since they represent a true break from tradition; but they have learned that today?s wedding ring shoppers are more inclined to try new things. In response to their popularity, JustMensRings.com recently added another collection of men?s black wedding bands from a top designer?s black seranite collection. Ultra glossy and unique, seranite rings are made with a proprietary process called ?sintering,? which is the same heating process used to transform powder into ceramic form. This process creates an extremely durable and long-lasting alloy for men?s wedding bands, and is quickly becoming the hottest new material in men?s jewelry. Just like the other black wedding rings sold at JMR, seranite rings are available in a variety of shapes, textures and sizes.

Without a doubt, JustMensRings.com is one of the most forward-thinking retail marketers in the wedding ring industry, best known for their continual addition of new collections and their large selection of alternative metals. When shoppers visit the web site they find it easy to navigate, as they search by metal, collection, size and price range. While the popularity of newer metals may rise and fall, JMR has seen consistent interest in men?s black wedding rings. At JMR, contemporary black wedding bands are available in tungsten, titanium, stainless steel, ceramic and seranite, with something for every man?s style and budget.

About JustMensRings:

As an Internet-only retailer, JustMensRings.com is dedicated to providing a simple and secure online shopping experience. This is one site where customers know they are getting the best possible prices on an extraordinary selection of men?s rings. JMR?s customers have come to expect high standards of service, selection and quality when they shop at JustMensRings.com. In fact, Just Men?s Rings (http://www.JustMensRings.com) now offers the largest selection of men?s fashion rings on the Internet, and they are the only store in the U.S. that offers men?s large size rings through size 20. They also lead their competitors with an unparalleled assortment of unique and alternative men?s wedding rings, and JMR is known for their very low prices on men?s gold rings. Despite the recent rise in gold prices, JMR keeps their prices low and affordable, and shoppers won?t find better prices on silver, cobalt, palladium or platinum anywhere.

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Men?s large size rings are easy to find at JustMensRings.com, thanks to the website?s user-friendly navigation and searchable inventory. Unlike many other online jewelers, JMR allows customers the ability to find their favorite rings in a specific size without the need to navigate through pages and pages of smaller rings. In response to customer demand, their ?Shop by Ring Size? and ?Large Size Rings for Men? sections give shoppers the option of to find their favorite ring in a larger size in just a few clicks; plus, they will know right away if a ring is unavailable in larger sizes. Other stores may sell a small assortment of large rings, but JMR is the only online retailer in America that offers large size rings through size 20. In addition, JustMensRings.com can usually ship out rings on the same day or next day without the need to wait for a special order to arrive.????

In response to consumer demand for a better selection of large size rings for men, JustMensRings.com has expanded its selection to include large rings in every metal, style and price range. Many of the large men?s rings for sale at JMR are from well-known jewelry designers, while others are made from alternative metals like tungsten, titanium and stainless steel. At JMR, their large size rings for men include a variety of exquisite designs to match every man?s personal style, many of which are available through size 20. In addition to their huge inventory of attractive fashion rings and wedding bands, JMR offers today?s most popular designs at everyday low prices.

Unlike many mainstream jewelers who claim to sell large sizes but really only have a few styles above size 13; JustMensRings.com has devoted a sizable portion of their inventory to selling larger sizes of men?s rings through size 20. One of the most comprehensive online jewelry stores on the Internet, JMR has earned a reputation for their vast array of larger sized fashion rings and wedding bands in both traditional and alternative metals. As a result, a great deal of their new business comes from word-of-mouth advertising and personal recommendations from satisfied customers.

In addition to these gorgeous men?s designer platinum rings, JMR has recently added Argentium silver, diamond wedding bands and ceramic-based seranite. With each new collection they add, this retailer earns its reputation for having the best selection of men?s rings anywhere. Now, as they enter one of their busiest seasons of the year ? Valentine?s Day – JMR is well equipped to satisfy the unique needs of the most discerning jewelry shoppers.

One reason for the longstanding success of this online retailer springs from the owners? dedication to making their inventory the most impressive assortment of men?s rings to be found anywhere. With collections of rings in gold, platinum, silver and a numerous alternative metals, JMR?s selection reflects the most contemporary men?s rings on the market today, all at everyday low prices. Owners Roy and Judy Devine are always looking for ways to enhance the shopping experience for their customers, and adding more large size rings for men is just one way to do this. JMR has also added several new collections of designer men?s wedding bands just in time for the busy Valentine?s Day shopping season.

After celebrating their sixth anniversary last year, JMR is well positioned to make 2012 their best year yet. As men and women become more comfortable with buying jewelry online, they have found that online jewelers offer a much better selection of rings at more affordable prices, but they also want to find a ring that fits. With large size men?s rings through size 20, JustMensRings.com offers men a better opportunity to find what they want ? all in one spot. In addition to their unparalleled selection of alternative and industrial metals, JMR is known for their competitive prices on yellow and white gold. Men who are shopping for fashion rings and wedding bands appreciate the variety of distinctive and contemporary styles available in large size rings for men.

About JustMensRings:

As an Internet-only retailer, JustMensRings.com is dedicated to providing a simple and secure online shopping experience. This is one site where customers know they are getting the best possible prices on an extraordinary selection of men?s rings. JMR?s customers have come to expect high standards of service, selection and quality when they shop at JustMensRings.com. In fact, Just Men?s Rings (http://www.JustMensRings.com) now offers the largest selection of men?s fashion rings on the Internet, and they are the only store in the U.S. that offers men?s large size rings through size 20. They also lead their competitors with an unparalleled assortment of unique and alternative men?s wedding rings, and JMR is known for their very low prices on men?s gold rings. Despite the recent rise in gold prices, JMR keeps their prices low and affordable, and shoppers won?t find better prices on silver, cobalt, palladium or platinum anywhere.

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Find More Ceramics Press Releases

The creators of Caricature Toons are proud to announce the launch of their new website, found at http://www.caricaturetoons.com. Caricature Toons is a one-of-a-kind website centered around the art and craft of caricature.

Caricature Toons reinvigorates the beloved art form by offering a rarely-seen breadth and variety of caricature styles; the website is home to an expansive community of caricature artists, each with unique styles and who are widely recognized and renowned for their talents. “We like to think there is a stroke for every folk,” say the website creators.

No other website online offers such a diverse set of caricature styles and products in one place; the website serves as a one-stop-shop for visitors looking to have themselves drawn as a caricature, to give a unique gift to a loved one.

Visitors are invited to review the various caricature styles on the website. When they find caricature styles that appeal to them, visitors simply upload a photo to be caricatured. The photos are sent automatically to the caricature artists, who then complete the caricatures and upload it to a private viewing area on the website for the customers’ reviews. Customers are able to request a caricature of their head only; head and body; or head, body, and custom background. Customers can also ask for revisions on the caricatures until it is exactly to their liking. Caricature Toons provides customers a 100% money back guarantee, to ensure their customers’ complete satisfaction. Prices start at $ 34.95.

Caricature Toons also offers a gift section, wherein customers can place their custom caricatures on one of over 50 different gift items, such as t-shirts, mugs, stickers, tote bags, ceramic tiles, desktop organizers and gallery wrapped canvas, among other products. Products are currently available in four categories, consisting of wall art, apparel and accessories, home and office, and cards and stationery. Caricature Toons ships worldwide.

In addition, Customer Toons has just launched a customer review area, where customers are able to sort Caricature Toons artists by popularity, style, price and turnaround times, among other factors. This new section of the website lends a unique ease of use and customization that no other caricature site online offers.

Caricature Toons is the premier online source for hand-drawn caricatures, host to some of the most prominent and world-renowned caricature artists in the business. Caricature Toons offers a wide selection of high-quality custom caricatures at great prices. Visit the website at http://www.caricaturetoons.com.

If you would like more information, or to schedule an interview with the creators of Caricature Toons, please call Bryan Payne 905-616-1383 or email headtoon(at)caricaturetoons(dot)com.

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More Ceramics Press Releases

LarsonJewelers.com, the leading online retailer of tungsten rings, announced today they have expanded their extra wide tungsten rings line from Thorsten Rings. The increase in styles is due to popular demand. The extra wide line is ideal for men or women who prefer a bolder look that comes with an exceptionally wide tungsten carbide ring.

Due to the people?s preference for wider rings these days, couples have been responding very positively to this line. ?We have had many customers ask us to increase the number of styles in our 10 mm and 12 mm tungsten carbide rings line, and we listened,? says Jonathan Larson, founder of LarsonJewelers.com.

Larson Jewelers is proud to be the first to carry a 10 mm wide tungsten and black ceramic ring. We all know that tungsten is prized for its extreme hardness and scratch resistance. However, few people know that ceramic, which is non-metallic, is also known for its scratch resistance and durability. Ceramic is a new light weight material that is becoming more and more popular to use in jewelry making. When combined with tungsten, it makes the jewelry piece have a more balanced weight feel, which makes the ring, not too light and not too heavy. Black ceramic is black all the way through, so even if you manage to scratch it, it will not be easy to see. Black tungsten is a coating, so if scratched, you will see the silver tungsten color underneath. This is a major advantage of black ceramic. Sizes range from 6.0 to 14.0 to accommodate any man?s finger size and most common women?s sizes. Wide rings aren?t just for men with larger finger sizes. Many people prefer the look a wide ring on their hand and with tungsten?s affordability such a big ring will not cost an arm and a leg.

Although these rings are wider than normal, they are by no means uncomfortable. Thorsten Rings, the manufacturer, has carefully designed these rings to ensure they don?t feel bulky and uncomfortable. They have managed to machine these rings into a sleek style and they are made in comfort-fit design, which means the inside of the rings are rounded so the inner edges of the ring won?t dig into your fingers after long periods of wear. They also come with an industry leading lifetime warranty that all Thorsten Rings come with, which covers everything from size exchanges to full replacement in case of accidental damage. As always, there are no additional fees charged to customers to use the lifetime warranty.

About LarsonJewelers.com:

LarsonJewelers.com provides a wide selection of tungsten rings, palladium rings, black titanium rings and both gold and white gold wedding rings. At Larson Jewelers, we strive to provide the best customer service to make your shopping experience hassle free and informative. ”Besides offering great products and great service, LarsonJewelers.com also offers the best prices,” says Larson. ”In fact, if you can find a better price, not only will we match it, we will beat it.”

For a limited time, customers can use coupon: COOL15 to take an additional 15% off any of their products.

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The largest U.S. exhibition to date of Vietnamese ceramics will open in January at the Birmingham Museum of Art, revealing another strength of our outstanding collection, and showing to the public for the first time, one of the top three finest collections of such wares in North America.

Dragons and Lotus Blossoms: Vietnamese Ceramics from the Birmingham Museum of Art is the first major exhibition of Vietnamese pottery in the United States. The exhibition is co-curated by Dr. Donald A. Wood, the BMA?s Curator of Asian Art, and John Stevenson, one of the preeminent experts in the field. The exhibition, in the Museum?s Jemison Galleries, will be on display January 22 through April 8, 2012. The exhibition is free, and open to the public.

?This is an opportunity to discover beautiful works of art that are rarely seen in the U.S.,? Wood said. ?It is also an opportunity to explore the rich history of a country that not only played an important role in the recent history of the U.S., but also is a vital part of our future.?

Through judicious purchases and generous donations, the BMA has acquired over several decades, one of the finest collections of Vietnamese ceramics, keeping company with the collections of The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

The entire BMA collection –more than 200 pieces of Vietnamese ceramics — will be on display. The collection is fully illustrated in the accompanying catalogue, which features important essays by Stevenson, Wood, and Philippe Truong, an independent expert in Vietnamese ceramics. The catalogue is published and distributed by The University of Washington Press.

?There are very few publications in English about Vietnamese ceramics,? Wood said. ?This catalogue contains the most current scholarship on this topic by some of the most respected experts in this field.?

As the first large-scale exhibition of Vietnamese ceramics in America, ?It is also the first exhibition to explore the fascinating history and variety of Vietnamese wares in the U.S.,? Wood said.? ?Our collection is rich in 15th and 16th century Vietnamese export wares modeled on the great blue-and-white wares from the imperial kilns of Jingdezhen in China.? It is also particularly strong in Vietnamese ceramics made for domestic use and never exported, a neglected area in which it has been difficult to find material.? The collection spans nearly 2000 years of Vietnamese ceramic history.?

Besides displaying a stellar collection of Vietnamese works, the exhibition brings to Birmingham John Stevenson, ?one of the leading scholars and connoisseurs in the field,? Wood said. ?He is known and respected not only here in the U.S. but all over the world for his pioneer studies in this under-appreciated field.? His 1997 book Vietnamese Ceramics: A Separate Tradition was the first in-depth study of Vietnamese ceramics in English.? He has seen and studied our entire collection and has been key in helping to identify many of the pieces. John is an old friend and it has been a pleasure to work with him on this project.?

Stevenson will open the exhibition with a lecture at 2:30 p.m. January 22, Vietnamese Ceramics, the Development of an Art Form. Also accompanying Dragons and Lotus Blossoms will be an Artbreak tour of the exhibition led by Wood on February 21 at noon; a book discussion on Dragon Sea: A True Tale of Treasure, Archeology and Greed off the Coast of Vietnam, a book, which tells the tale behind some of the ceramics on display in Dragons and Lotus Blossoms, March 8 at noon; then on First Thursday, April 5 at 6 p.m., a curator-led tour and a Vietnamese film.

The History of Vietnamese Ceramics at the Birmingham Museum of Art

As early as the 1970s, members of the Asian Art Society at the BMA recognized the beauty of Vietnamese ceramics and the potential for creating a significant collection in a little known and under-appreciated field. After amassing the core collection of 15th and 16th -century blue-and-white export wares, the BMA built on the support of the Asian Art Society, buying more export wares at the rich international auctions of shipwreck ceramics that since the year 2000 have revolutionized the study of Southeast Asian ceramics.

In 2010 the Vietnamese ceramic collection of Mr. William M. Spencer III, a long-time Museum patron and a founding member of the Asian Art Society, was bequeathed to the Museum. This gift greatly strengthened the BMA?s holdings of Vietnamese ceramics made for domestic use and never exported, a neglected area in which it has been difficult to find material. This, and the continuing judicious purchase of outstanding pieces over the years, has resulted in a superb collection, with many fine, undamaged, and unique examples.

?This is a collection that evolved through local interest and support,? Wood said. ?It is a collection in which the people of Birmingham can take great pride.?

The History Behind the Art

In the 1960s and ?70s, the destinies of Vietnam and the United States became tightly intertwined through a war which profoundly colored the way Vietnam is viewed. Few Americans are aware of Vietnam?s distinctive, millennia-long, cultural history. While they defended their independence against powerful enemies over the centuries, the Vietnamese developed subtle and sophisticated cultural traditions, including ceramics, which form an unusually important part of the country?s artistic identity.

While many art objects have fared badly in Vietnam ? victims of time, or climate, or war — ceramics have survived as a physical form of Vietnam?s historical memory. Along with literature, poetry, and music, ceramics are among the most significant manifestations of Vietnam?s cultural heritage to remain after many centuries.

Few museums in the West exhibit more than a few token Vietnamese ceramics bought at recent high-profile auctions. The Birmingham Museum of Art is the shining exception. Dragons and Lotus Blossoms brings the importance of Vietnam?s rich cultural history into brilliant focus.

For more information about Dragons and Lotus Blossoms, visit our website at http://www.artsbma.org. The catalogue, Dragons and Lotus Blossoms: Vietnamese Ceramics from the Birmingham Museum of Art, is available at the Museum store and online http://www.birminghammuseumstore.org/books.html.

About the Birmingham Museum of Art: Founded in 1951, the Birmingham Museum of Art has one of the finest collections in the Southeast. More than 24,000 objects displayed and housed within the Museum represent a rich panorama of cultures, including Asian, European, American, African, Pre-Columbian, and Native American. Highlights include the Museum?s collection of Asian art, Vietnamese ceramics, the Kress collection of Renaissance and Baroque paintings, sculpture, and decorative arts from the late 13th century to the 1750s, and the Museum?s world-renowned collection of Wedgwood, the largest outside of England.

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The largest U.S. exhibition to date of Vietnamese ceramics will open in January at the Birmingham Museum of Art, revealing another strength of our outstanding collection, and showing to the public for the first time, one of the top three finest collections of such wares in North America.

Dragons and Lotus Blossoms: Vietnamese Ceramics from the Birmingham Museum of Art is the first major exhibition of Vietnamese pottery in the United States. The exhibition is co-curated by Dr. Donald A. Wood, the BMA?s Curator of Asian Art, and John Stevenson, one of the preeminent experts in the field. The exhibition, in the Museum?s Jemison Galleries, will be on display January 22 through April 8, 2012. The exhibition is free, and open to the public.

?This is an opportunity to discover beautiful works of art that are rarely seen in the U.S.,? Wood said. ?It is also an opportunity to explore the rich history of a country that not only played an important role in the recent history of the U.S., but also is a vital part of our future.?

Through judicious purchases and generous donations, the BMA has acquired over several decades, one of the finest collections of Vietnamese ceramics, keeping company with the collections of The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

The entire BMA collection –more than 200 pieces of Vietnamese ceramics — will be on display. The collection is fully illustrated in the accompanying catalogue, which features important essays by Stevenson, Wood, and Philippe Truong, an independent expert in Vietnamese ceramics. The catalogue is published and distributed by The University of Washington Press.

?There are very few publications in English about Vietnamese ceramics,? Wood said. ?This catalogue contains the most current scholarship on this topic by some of the most respected experts in this field.?

As the first large-scale exhibition of Vietnamese ceramics in America, ?It is also the first exhibition to explore the fascinating history and variety of Vietnamese wares in the U.S.,? Wood said.? ?Our collection is rich in 15th and 16th century Vietnamese export wares modeled on the great blue-and-white wares from the imperial kilns of Jingdezhen in China.? It is also particularly strong in Vietnamese ceramics made for domestic use and never exported, a neglected area in which it has been difficult to find material.? The collection spans nearly 2000 years of Vietnamese ceramic history.?

Besides displaying a stellar collection of Vietnamese works, the exhibition brings to Birmingham John Stevenson, ?one of the leading scholars and connoisseurs in the field,? Wood said. ?He is known and respected not only here in the U.S. but all over the world for his pioneer studies in this under-appreciated field.? His 1997 book Vietnamese Ceramics: A Separate Tradition was the first in-depth study of Vietnamese ceramics in English.? He has seen and studied our entire collection and has been key in helping to identify many of the pieces. John is an old friend and it has been a pleasure to work with him on this project.?

Stevenson will open the exhibition with a lecture at 2:30 p.m. January 22, Vietnamese Ceramics, the Development of an Art Form. Also accompanying Dragons and Lotus Blossoms will be an Artbreak tour of the exhibition led by Wood on February 21 at noon; a book discussion on Dragon Sea: A True Tale of Treasure, Archeology and Greed off the Coast of Vietnam, a book, which tells the tale behind some of the ceramics on display in Dragons and Lotus Blossoms, March 8 at noon; then on First Thursday, April 5 at 6 p.m., a curator-led tour and a Vietnamese film.

The History of Vietnamese Ceramics at the Birmingham Museum of Art

As early as the 1970s, members of the Asian Art Society at the BMA recognized the beauty of Vietnamese ceramics and the potential for creating a significant collection in a little known and under-appreciated field. After amassing the core collection of 15th and 16th -century blue-and-white export wares, the BMA built on the support of the Asian Art Society, buying more export wares at the rich international auctions of shipwreck ceramics that since the year 2000 have revolutionized the study of Southeast Asian ceramics.

In 2010 the Vietnamese ceramic collection of Mr. William M. Spencer III, a long-time Museum patron and a founding member of the Asian Art Society, was bequeathed to the Museum. This gift greatly strengthened the BMA?s holdings of Vietnamese ceramics made for domestic use and never exported, a neglected area in which it has been difficult to find material. This, and the continuing judicious purchase of outstanding pieces over the years, has resulted in a superb collection, with many fine, undamaged, and unique examples.

?This is a collection that evolved through local interest and support,? Wood said. ?It is a collection in which the people of Birmingham can take great pride.?

The History Behind the Art

In the 1960s and ?70s, the destinies of Vietnam and the United States became tightly intertwined through a war which profoundly colored the way Vietnam is viewed. Few Americans are aware of Vietnam?s distinctive, millennia-long, cultural history. While they defended their independence against powerful enemies over the centuries, the Vietnamese developed subtle and sophisticated cultural traditions, including ceramics, which form an unusually important part of the country?s artistic identity.

While many art objects have fared badly in Vietnam ? victims of time, or climate, or war — ceramics have survived as a physical form of Vietnam?s historical memory. Along with literature, poetry, and music, ceramics are among the most significant manifestations of Vietnam?s cultural heritage to remain after many centuries.

Few museums in the West exhibit more than a few token Vietnamese ceramics bought at recent high-profile auctions. The Birmingham Museum of Art is the shining exception. Dragons and Lotus Blossoms brings the importance of Vietnam?s rich cultural history into brilliant focus.

For more information about Dragons and Lotus Blossoms, visit our website at http://www.artsbma.org. The catalogue, Dragons and Lotus Blossoms: Vietnamese Ceramics from the Birmingham Museum of Art, is available at the Museum store and online http://www.birminghammuseumstore.org/books.html.

About the Birmingham Museum of Art: Founded in 1951, the Birmingham Museum of Art has one of the finest collections in the Southeast. More than 24,000 objects displayed and housed within the Museum represent a rich panorama of cultures, including Asian, European, American, African, Pre-Columbian, and Native American. Highlights include the Museum?s collection of Asian art, Vietnamese ceramics, the Kress collection of Renaissance and Baroque paintings, sculpture, and decorative arts from the late 13th century to the 1750s, and the Museum?s world-renowned collection of Wedgwood, the largest outside of England.

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