This porcelain stemcup has a domed foot, a high stem and an elongated deep bowl with a partially broken flared rim. River landscapes featuring trees, pavilions, bridges and figures, are painted in four vertical panels in underglaze blue. Used for drinking wine, this cup is unique as it does not have a traditional Chinese shape and was probably modelled after European wine glasses or goblets to suit European taste. This piece was part of a sizable cargo of Chinese export ceramics and porcelain uncovered from a late 17th century shipwreck near Vung Tau, Vietnam. Sunk on the way to Batavia from China, the cargo on this ship would have eventually made it way to the European market where Chinese ceramics were popular and much valued. Although expensive, porcelain became the fashion among the class of new rich merchants and bourgeoisie in Europe. (Source : Asian Civilisations Museum, Singapore)
Period : Qing Dynasty, Kangxi Period Production Date : 1690-1699 Made in : Jingdezhen Destination : Netherland Found/Acquired : Southeast Asia , South China Sea, Vung Tau ship Size : 17.5cm (Height) / 8cm(Diameter) Condition : Excellent Reference : Double checked with reference to the original catalogues 1) Christies Amsterdam 1992 - Vung Tau Cargo / Christies 2) Qing Dynasty Export Blue and White(淸代外销靑花瓷) - Vung Tau Cargo Catalogue / Guangxi Fine Art Publishing House 3) Asian Ceramic Found along Maritime Silk Route / National Maritime Museum of Korea
* Vung Tau Cargo Porcelain
The Vung Tau Cargo was found in the South China Sea off the islands of Con Dao about 100 nautical miles (185 km; 115 mi) from Vung Tau, Vietanam. The ship was of a lorcha boat—a vessel with Cantonese/Chinese and Portuguese/European influences that has been dated to about 1690. It was found by a fisherman who had picked up numerous pieces of porcelain from the ship while fishing. Sverker Hallstrom identified the ship and its cargo in 1990. Australian diver Michael Flecker took charge of the archaeological aspect of the excavation. An analysis of its cargo deduced that the ship was bound from China to Jakarta, Indonesia, where the porcelain would have been purchased by the Dutch East India Company for trans-shipment to Holland, Europe as a commercial trade goods.
