East Asia, China, late Ming Dynasty, ca. 17th century CE. A marvelous 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 remarkable bowl is meticulously glazed with a central tondo of a seated bird surrounded by 3 flying birds, all amongst meandering vines and floral motifs and then surrounded by an outer border of stylized floral patterns. Alternatively, the exterior is embellished by abstract decoration. 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: 14.9" Diameter x 2.9" H (37.8 cm x 7.4 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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#169330

Minor chip and 2 nicks to rim. Expected nicks, pitting, and a few indentations in areas, commensurate with age. Otherwise, intact and excellent with nice remaining pigments and marine encrustations on foot.