BLUE AND WHITE TEABOWL CIRCA 1725, QING DYNASTY, YONGZHENG REIGN

The teabowl depicts botanical elements and butterflies, motifs rich in symbolism within Chinese culture. Butterflies often represent transformation and immortality, while the various flowers and plants indicate the changing seasons and nature's bounty. These images reflect the meticulous observation and artistic skill prevalent during the Qing Dynasty, imparting elegance and sophistication to the porcelain.

* The Ca Mau Cargo

The Ca Mau Cargo refers to a Chinese cargo sunken sometime between 1723 and 1735 off the coast of Vietnam’s farthest point in the South China Sea, discovered by Vietnamese fishermen in 1998. It is believed the ship was a Chinese merchant’s cargo on its way from Canton (Guangzhou) to Batavia when it caught fire and sank. The merchant had ordered the goods on board for Dutch traders, who had limited access to China and its ports.

* Porcelain for the European Market

The Ca Mau Cargo consisted of numerous types of porcelain, chinaware and blue and white wares, all designed for the European market. Blue and white ceramics recovered from the cargo appear decorated with the so-called ‘Scheveningen landscape’, also known as ‘Deshima décor’. This motif usually depicted a traditional Dutch fishing village, executed in Chinese style. Chinese wares with Western motives were extremely popular and made to order and were known as ‘China de commande’.