Rare Ewer of a Seated Monkey, C 1725, Qing Dynasty, Yongzheng Era

A rare figural monkey-form ewer from the Ca Mau shipwreck, produced at Jingdezhen during the Yongzheng period. This sculptural porcelain was made in very limited numbers for the European export market and is among the most distinctive forms recovered from the shipwreck.

The unglazed face and hands contrast with the glazed body, while the spout is seamlessly integrated into the figure’s pose, demonstrating a high level of technical and sculptural control. This example was selected for the cover of Dr. Zelnik’s catalogue, and fully published works with secure Ca Mau shipwreck provenance are exceptionally rare.

Period : Qing Dynasty, Yongzheng Period
Production Date : C 1725
Made in : Jingdezhen
Destination : Netherland
Found/Acquired : Southeast Asia , South China Sea, Ca Mau ship
Size : 20cm (Height)
Condition : Good(Various marine organism encrustations are present on the surface.)
Reference : Double checked with reference to the original catalogues
1) Tau Co Ca Mau(The Ca Mau Shipwreck) Catalogue 2002 / The National Museum of Vietnamese History
2) THE CA MAU SHIPWRECK PORCELAIN : from the Collection of Dr.Zelnik , 2000
3) Sotheby’s Amsterdam, 2007 : Made In Imperial China / Sotheby's
4) Asian Ceramic Found along Maritime Silk Route / National Maritime Museum of Korea

* 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’.