Hoi An Shipwreck Blue and White Floral Box

£ 120.00

A fine Hoi An blue and white porcelain box decorated with a floral design. The lid features a central floral medallion and a jewelled double ring, finished with an outer single ring. Faint markings of further strokes are visible to the flower petals adding details to the texture, despite the loss of glaze due to age and seawater exposure. The sides are adorned with a continuous band of geometric motifs, pigments of which are now also faded but can be seen in the light. The design is composed of two concentric curved diamond shapes enclosed by a circle with a dot in each quarter. Such motif resembles a copper coin which is an auspicious symbol associated with luck and wealth in many Asian cultures.

This piece has been officially recorded by the Vietnamese authorities (VISAL), whose stickers are affixed to the base.

Date: Circa late 15th-early 16th century AD
Provenance: From the Hoi An shipwreck, sank in the late 15th-early 16th century AD (approximately 1490). Recovered in the early 1990's. Ex Butterfield and Butterfield auction.
Condition: Fine condition. Dulling of glazed surfaces with some loss of glaze and small areas of discolouration due to seawater exposure. Minor chip to the rim of the body.

SOLD

SKU: CY-282 Category: Tags: , ,

This beautiful example of a porcelain box was retrieved from the Hoi An shipwreck, which sank in the seas off Cu Lao Cham Island during the late 15th – early 16th century. There is uncertainty as to who first discovered the ceramics but it has been agreed that a boat from Hoi An or one of its adjacent fishing communities located the first pieces in their fishing nets in the early 1990s. The Vietnamese government realised the importance of this discovery and proceeded to excavate the cargo from the sunken ship. Roughly 250,000 pots were recovered, 10% of the findings were displayed in Vietnam’s museums while 90% were sold at auctions. The ceramics were originally manufactured near Chu Dou, 3.7 miles from Hai Dong, this was where the largest ceramic production took place in medieval Vietnam. The pieces ranged from simple everyday vessels to exquisitely detailed items.

To discover more about the Hoi An Shipwreck, please read our relevant blog Hoi An Shipwreck Pottery

Weight 166.8 g
Dimensions W 7.8 x H 5.6 cm
Culture

Region

Pottery and Porcelain

Reference: For a similar item,The British Museum, item 2000,1212.40

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