Originally listed at $300

East Asia, China, late Ming Dynasty, ca. 17th century CE. A fine 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 lovely bowl is hand-painted with an abstract floral design on its interior basin, while its exterior showcases liberal remains of abstract and striated motifs. As evidenced by the rich marine deposits, 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: 9.7" Diameter x 2" H (24.6 cm x 5.1 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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#169331

Expected minor nicks, abrasions, and indentations, commensurate with age. Otherwise, intact and excellent with rich marine deposits.