East Asia, China, late Ming Dynasty, ca. 17th century CE. A lovely pottery bowl, known as Swatow ware and presenting impressively thin walls that flare out to a broad rim, all sitting atop a ring-form foot. Boasting blue on white decoration, the ancient bowl is hand-painted with an abstract vegetal motif on its interior, while the exterior features a stylized floral pattern. As evident from the thick marine encrustations throughout, this dish was likely from South China near Fujian and was headed to Malaysia for trade with the Dutch East India Company, when the ship sank off the coast of Binh Thuan Thailand in 1608 CE. The name "Swatow" or Zhangzhou most probably derives from Shantou in China, an old junk port along the southeastern coast of Guangdong near Fujian and these ceramics were often destined for export. Size: 9.6" Diameter x 1.9" H (24.4 cm x 4.8 cm)

During this time period, China was the great naval power of the East, with technology that surpassed anything that Europe had yet developed; this was the time of Zheng He and China's role as an international trader from the Mediterranean to the south Pacific. As the Ming period progressed, and the political conditions that had held the overland Silk Route together deteriorated, a Maritime Silk Road became more important to Chinese trade. These cups were likely from South China near Fujian and were headed to Malaysia to trade with the Dutch East India Company, when the ship sank off the coast of Binh Thuan Thailand in 1608 CE.

Provenance: private Lumberton, Texas, USA collection, acquired before 2010

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#169332

Expected nicks, abrasions, and indentations, commensurate with age. Otherwise, intact and excellent with nice remaining pigments and rich marine deposits. Collection label on base.