c1608 Zhangzhou Porcelain Bowl from the Binh Thuan Shipwreck, Ming Dynasty (1575-1650)
This incredible artefact is a porcelain bowl from the Binh Thuan Shipwreck, c1608.
A Chinese junk, laden with porcelain for trade with the Dutch East India Company and captained by ill-fated merchant I Sin Ho sank off the coast of Vietnam in July 1608. Its cargo of Zhangzhou porcelain, cast iron bowls, silks and other goods came to rest on the murky ocean floor and lay undisturbed for over 4 centuries, until a group of fisherman discovered her around around 1999-2000 and began (illegally) selling artefacts. The bounty was soon confiscated and the official process of recovery and salvage began.
Once recovered, the excavated artefacts were jointly handled by the Binh Thuan People's Committee and the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, and carefully catalogued. The majority of pieces were retained for museums, with the remainder being auctioned by Christie's in Melbourne 1-3 March 2004. Funds raised from the auction were used to support archaeological activities in the region.
This bowl retains that amazing history and features the crowded blue-and-white designs typical of the period and the Zhangzhou kilns. The central motif is a double-phoenix amidst foliage, typically loosely painted, surrounded by a border of floral medallions. Each piece from the shipwreck is unique - painters took a free and spontaneous approach in applying the same design concept.
This incredible piece is in good condition given the age and provenance. There are signs of wear and crazing, especially to the edges, some discolouration to the glaze, and (presumably) some fading as some areas are lighter, although this could also be the result of the decoration process. The original cataloguing label is in place.
Please note dimensions carefully as it is often difficult to represent sizes accurately in the photographs. The size and weight are factored into the postage, and insurance is included.
This incredible artefact is a porcelain bowl from the Binh Thuan Shipwreck, c1608.
A Chinese junk, laden with porcelain for trade with the Dutch East India Company and captained by ill-fated merchant I Sin Ho sank off the coast of Vietnam in July 1608. Its cargo of Zhangzhou porcelain, cast iron bowls, silks and other goods came to rest on the murky ocean floor and lay undisturbed for over 4 centuries, until a group of fisherman discovered her around around 1999-2000 and began (illegally) selling artefacts. The bounty was soon confiscated and the official process of recovery and salvage began.
Once recovered, the excavated artefacts were jointly handled by the Binh Thuan People's Committee and the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, and carefully catalogued. The majority of pieces were retained for museums, with the remainder being auctioned by Christie's in Melbourne 1-3 March 2004. Funds raised from the auction were used to support archaeological activities in the region.
This bowl retains that amazing history and features the crowded blue-and-white designs typical of the period and the Zhangzhou kilns. The central motif is a double-phoenix amidst foliage, typically loosely painted, surrounded by a border of floral medallions. Each piece from the shipwreck is unique - painters took a free and spontaneous approach in applying the same design concept.
This incredible piece is in good condition given the age and provenance. There are signs of wear and crazing, especially to the edges, some discolouration to the glaze, and (presumably) some fading as some areas are lighter, although this could also be the result of the decoration process. The original cataloguing label is in place.
Please note dimensions carefully as it is often difficult to represent sizes accurately in the photographs. The size and weight are factored into the postage, and insurance is included.
This incredible artefact is a porcelain bowl from the Binh Thuan Shipwreck, c1608.
A Chinese junk, laden with porcelain for trade with the Dutch East India Company and captained by ill-fated merchant I Sin Ho sank off the coast of Vietnam in July 1608. Its cargo of Zhangzhou porcelain, cast iron bowls, silks and other goods came to rest on the murky ocean floor and lay undisturbed for over 4 centuries, until a group of fisherman discovered her around around 1999-2000 and began (illegally) selling artefacts. The bounty was soon confiscated and the official process of recovery and salvage began.
Once recovered, the excavated artefacts were jointly handled by the Binh Thuan People's Committee and the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, and carefully catalogued. The majority of pieces were retained for museums, with the remainder being auctioned by Christie's in Melbourne 1-3 March 2004. Funds raised from the auction were used to support archaeological activities in the region.
This bowl retains that amazing history and features the crowded blue-and-white designs typical of the period and the Zhangzhou kilns. The central motif is a double-phoenix amidst foliage, typically loosely painted, surrounded by a border of floral medallions. Each piece from the shipwreck is unique - painters took a free and spontaneous approach in applying the same design concept.
This incredible piece is in good condition given the age and provenance. There are signs of wear and crazing, especially to the edges, some discolouration to the glaze, and (presumably) some fading as some areas are lighter, although this could also be the result of the decoration process. The original cataloguing label is in place.
Please note dimensions carefully as it is often difficult to represent sizes accurately in the photographs. The size and weight are factored into the postage, and insurance is included.
Porcelain bowl from the Binh Thuan Shipwreck
c1608, off the Vietnam coast
White and blue, double-phoenix design
25.5cm wide, 5.5cm high
Good condition
Origin: Zhangzhou, China
