The Nanking Cargo, 1752
The Nanking Cargo
1752
On Monday January 3, 1752, the Dutch East India Company, (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie, VOC) ship Geldermalsen, struck a reef on her return journey to the Netherlands and sank in the South China Sea. Of the crew 32 survived and 80 went down with the ship and her cargo of tea, raw silk, textiles, dried wares, groceries, lacquer and porcelain.
The cargo of Chinese porcelain was originally potted in Jingdezhen, Jiangzi province then shipped to Nanking for delivery to the VOC vessel Geldermalsen for final transportation to the Netherlands. The Geldermalsen struck a reef on her return journey to the Netherlands and sank in the South China Sea on January 3, 1752. The cargo was recovered by Captain Michael Hatcher and his team in 1985 and sold by Christie's Amsterdam on 28 April - 2 May 1985 as 'The Nanking Cargo. Chinese Export Porcelain and Gold' two hundred and thirty-five years later. (Jörg 1986/1. pp.39-59).
An interesting detail is that Captain Michael Hatcher found the wreck of the Geldermalsen on the same reef as he earlier, in 1983, found the wreck of a Chinese junk. both wrecks were about a mile apart. This Chinese Junk wreck came to be known as "The Hatcher Junk" she had a cargo of Kraak and Transitional porcelain objects that were dated c.1643. (Sheaf & Kilburn 1988, p.27)
Shipwreck Porcelains - The Nanking Cargo, 1752
Object 2011162
Bowl
China
c.1751
Provenance: The Nanking Cargo sale, Christie's Amsterdam, 28 April - 2 May 1986
Height 73 mm (2.87 inch), diameter of rim 167 mm (6.57 inch), diameter of footring 74 mm (2.91 inch), weight 430 grams (15.17 ounce (oz.))
Bowl on footring, straight rim. The exterior is covered with so-called Batavia-Brown, underglaze dark brown. The inside is decorated in underglaze blue with the 'Batavian' floral pattern, small size. On the bottom a single flowering peony and on the interior wall two large peony sprays and a chrysanthemum spray. On the rim a trellis pattern border. On the base the original Christie's lot 2546 label and the Christie's The Nanking Cargo sale label proving it has been one of 24 similar bowls sold in lot 2546. (Amsterdam 1986. p.101)
In total 1,931 bowls with the 'Batavian' floral pattern, small size, were sold divided over the lots: 2529-2577. (Amsterdam 1986)
The variety of bowls in the 18th century is extremely great. They were used for an infinite variety of purposes. In the records these bowls are found under the heading 'slop bowls' and that is what they were used for: the tea cup was rinsed in them before a different kind of tea was poured in. The Geldermalsen carried 25,921 bowls, Hatcher found nearly 17,000 undamaged. The group with dark-brown glaze on the outside - the so-called Batavia ware - of which the inside is decorated in underglaze blue-and white only came in two designs: with flowers (like this bowl) or a river landscape. (Jörg 1986/1, p.89)
For identically shaped and decorated bowls with The Nanking Cargo 'Batavian' floral pattern, please see:
- The Geldermalsen. History and Porcelain, (C.J.A. Jörg, Groningen 1986), pp.88-89, fig. 78.
- The Hatcher Porcelain Cargoes. The Complete Record, (C. Sheaf & R. Kilburn, Oxford 1988), p.146, Pl.191.
- A Tale of Three Cities Canton, Shanghai & Hong Kong. Three Centuries of Sino-British Trade in the decorative Arts. (D.S. Howard, Sotheby's, London 1997), p.29, cat. 19.
- Chine de commande, (D.F. Lunsingh Scheurleer, Lochem 1989), cat. D.
For identically shaped and decorated bowls with The Nanking Cargo 'river landscape' pattern, please see
- The Geldermalsen. History and Porcelain, (C.J.A. Jörg, Groningen 1986), pp.88-89, fig. 79.
- The Hatcher Porcelain Cargoes. The Complete Record, (C. Sheaf & R. Kilburn, Oxford 1988), p.146, Pl.190.
- Sold Ceramics - Sold Shipwreck porcelains - Sold The Nanking Cargo, 1752 - Object 2010336.
Howard states that the small bowl is also decorated inside in underglaze blue, the outside having a cafe-au-lait brown glaze. Such a combination favoured in Batavia and Holland, and known today as 'Batavia ware'. (Howard 1997, p.29)
Condition: A Y-shaped hairline to the rim.
References:
Jörg 1986/1, p.89 & fig. 78 & fig. 79
Sheaf & Kilburn 1988, Pl.190 & Pl.191
Lunsingh Scheurleer 1989, cat. D
Price: € 499 Currency Converter
Shipwreck Porcelains - The Nanking Cargo, 1752
Object 2011404
Bowl
China
1752
Provenance: The Nanking Cargo sale, Christie's Amsterdam, 28 April - 2 May 1986
Height 70 mm (2.76 inch), diameter of rim 147 mm (5.79 inch), diameter of footring 61 mm (2.40 inch), weight 261 grams (9.21 ounce (oz.))
Bowl on footring, straight underglaze brown-edged rim (jia mangkou). Chinese Imari decorated in underglaze blue, and overglaze iron-red with the "Peony Rock" pattern. Painted with peony, chrysanthemum, bamboo and flowering peach issuing from a rocky terrace on the exterior and a camellia spray in the interior below a trellis-pattern border. On the bowl the original Christie's The Nanking Cargo sale label proving it has been one of 240 bowls sold in lot 3154. Near all the gold and iron-red decoration have worn off. (Amsterdam 1986, p.128)
In total 2,779 bowls with the 'Peony Rock' landscape pattern, were sold divided over the lots: 3126-3157. (Amsterdam 1986)
Condition: A hairline to the rim and a frit to the inner footring.
References:
Price: € 199 Currency Converter
Shipwreck Porcelains - The Nanking Cargo, 1752
Object 2011798
Bowl
China
1752
Provenance: The Nanking Cargo sale, Christie's Amsterdam, 28 April - 2 May 1986
Height 72 mm (2.83 inch), diameter of rim 150 mm (5.91 inch), diameter of footring 61 mm (2.40 inch), weight 354 grams (12.49 ounce (oz.))
Bowl on footring, straight underglaze brown-edged rim (jia mangkou). Chinese Imari decorated in underglaze blue, and overglaze iron-red with the "Peony Rock" pattern. Painted with peony, chrysanthemum, bamboo and flowering peach issuing from a rocky terrace on the exterior and a camellia spray in the interior below a trellis-pattern border. On the bowl the original Christie's The Nanking Cargo sale label, reading lot 3157, proving it has been one of 240 bowls sold in that lot. (Amsterdam 1986, p.128)
In total 2,779 bowls with the 'Peony Rock' landscape pattern, were sold divided over the lots: 3126-3157. (Amsterdam 1986)
Condition: Perfect, the Chinese Imari iron-red and gold decoration have deteriorated due to the long immersion in the sea, leaving nothing but a few traces now only visible as ghostly outlines.
References:
Price: € 299 Currency Converter
Shipwreck Porcelains - The Nanking Cargo, 1752
Object 2012279
Bowl
China
1752
Provenance: The Nanking Cargo sale, Christie's Amsterdam, 28 April - 2 May 1986
Height 72 mm (2.83 inch), diameter of rim 148 mm (5.83 inch), diameter of footring 60 mm (2.36 inch), weight 310 grams (10.93 ounce (oz.))
Bowl on footring, straight underglaze brown-edged rim (jia mangkou). Chinese Imari decorated in underglaze blue, and overglaze iron-red with the "Peony Rock" pattern. Painted with peony, chrysanthemum, bamboo and flowering peach issuing from a rocky terrace on the exterior and a camellia spray in the interior below a trellis-pattern border. On the bowl the original Christie's The Nanking Cargo sale label and the original Christie's lot 3157 label proving it has been one of 240 bowls sold in lot 3157.
Near all the gold and iron-red decoration have worn off. (Amsterdam 1986, p.128)
In total 2,779 bowls with the 'Peony Rock' landscape pattern, were sold divided over the lots: 3126-3157. (Amsterdam 1986)
Condition: A firing flaw to the rim and to the inner wall.
References:
Price: € 249 Currency Converter
Shipwreck Porcelains - The Nanking Cargo, 1752
Object 2012292
Bowl
China
1752
Provenance: The Nanking Cargo sale, Christie's Amsterdam, 28 April - 2 May 1986
Height 72 mm (2.83 inch), diameter of rim 148 mm (5.83 inch), diameter of footring 60 mm (2.36 inch), weight 347 grams (12.24 ounce (oz.))
Bowl on footring, straight rim. Chinese Imari, decorated in underglaze blue, iron-red and gold with a scholar crossing a bridge connecting rocky islets with retreats and pine in a river landscape. Round the inner rim a trellis-pattern border in iron-red. On the base the original deteriorated circular paper Christie's The Nanking Cargo sale lot 318? label proving it has been one of 1,365 bowls sold divided over the lots 3168-3188. (Amsterdam 1986, p. 131)
On Monday January 3, 1752, the Dutch East India Company, (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie, VOC) ship Geldermalsen, struck a reef on her return journey to the Netherlands and sank in the South China Sea. Of the crew 32 survived and 80 went down with the ship and her cargo of tea, raw silk, textiles, dried wares, groceries, lacquer and porcelain.
The cargo of Chinese porcelain was originally potted in Jingdezhen, Jiangzi province then shipped to Nanking for delivery to the VOC vessel Geldermalsen for final transportation to the Netherlands. The Geldermalsen struck a reef on her return journey to the Netherlands and sank in the South China Sea on January 3, 1752. The cargo was recovered by Captain Michael Hatcher and his team in 1985 and sold by Christie's Amsterdam on 28 April - 2 May 1985 as 'The Nanking Cargo. Chinese Export Porcelain and Gold' two hundred and thirty-five years later. (Jörg 1986/1. pp.39-59).
An interesting detail is that Captain Michael Hatcher found the wreck of the Geldermalsen on the same reef as he earlier, in 1983, found the wreck of a Chinese junk. both wrecks were about a mile apart. This Chinese Junk wreck came to be known as "The Hatcher Junk" she had a cargo of Kraak and Transitional porcelain objects that were dated c.1643. (Sheaf & Kilburn 1988, p.27)
The design on this bowl is known as the 'Scholar on Bridge' pattern in blue and enamels, small size. In total 1,365 bowls with the 'Scholar on bridge' pattern in blue and enamels, small size, were sold divided over the lots: 3168--3188. (Amsterdam 1986)
Condition: Two hairlines and three very tiny fleabites and a frit all the rim. On the Christie's The Nanking Cargo auction label only the three numbers 318? of four in total are still visible.
References:
Price: € 199 Currency Converter
Shipwreck Porcelains - The Nanking Cargo, 1752
Object 2012516
Bowl
China
c.1751
Provenance: The Nanking Cargo sale, Christie's Amsterdam, 28 April - 2 May 1986
Height 69 mm (2.71 inch), diameter of rim 141 mm (5.55 inch), diameter of footring 61 mm (2.40 inch), weight 252 grams (8.89 ounce (oz.))
Bowl on footring, everted brown edged rim, crackled glaze. Decorated in underglaze blue with flower sprays alternating with flower heads. On the bottom a ring of unglazed biscuit. On the bottom the remains of glue residue of the Christie's lot 3209B label. On the base the original Christie's The Nanking Cargo sale lot 3209B label proving it was one of 220 sold in the additional lots catalogue as lot 3209B. (Amsterdam 1986/2, p,4, lot 3209B)
On Monday January 3, 1752, the Dutch East India Company, (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie, VOC) vessel Geldermalsen, struck a reef on her return journey to the Netherlands and sank in the South China Sea. Of the crew 32 survived and 80 went down with the ship and her cargo of tea, raw silk, textiles, dried wares, groceries, lacquer and porcelain.
The cargo of Chinese porcelain was originally potted in Jingdezhen, Jiangzi province then shipped to Nanking for delivery to the Dutch East India Company, (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie, VOC) vessel Geldermalsen for final transportation to the Netherlands. The Geldermalsen struck a reef on her return journey to the Netherlands and sank in the South China Sea on January 3, 1752. The cargo was recovered by Captain Michael Hatcher and his team in 1985 and sold by Christie's Amsterdam on 28 April - 2 May 1985 as 'The Nanking Cargo. Chinese Export Porcelain and Gold' two hundred and thirty five years later. (Jörg 1986/1. pp.39-59).
An interesting detail is that Captain Michael Hatcher found the wreck of the Geldermalsen on the same reef as he earlier, in 1983, found the wreck of a Chinese junk. both wrecks were about a mile apart. This Chinese Junk wreck came to be known as "The Hatcher Junk" she had a cargo of Kraak and Transitional porcelain objects that were dated c.1643. (Sheaf & Kilburn 1988, p.27)
Porcelain for the Cape.
The merchants responsible for the return cargo to the Netherlands in 1751 also bought porcelain for the Cape. This is an exception and it only took place in that year. This fact has been of importance for the identification of Hatcher’s find. Usually the Cape received its supplies via Batavia. The Hoge Regering annually included an order for Canton listing everything ‘needed for the use in the castle, in the shop and outside offices.
In 1751 this custom is not followed, as far as the Cape is concerned. After all, the return ships pass the Cape anyway, in order to take in fresh provisions, so why ship things twice; thus the argument of the Hoge Regering in their letter to the merchants in Canton. The accompanying order has not been preserved, though there is a copy of the letter sent by the Cape to Batavia in spring 1751. In that letter 2,000 porcelain plates, 600 serving dishes medium size, 200 large bowls and 400 smaller ones are requested.
In Canton the merchants purchase the required goods and ship them in two consignments: 13 chests with a value of fl. 574 are taken on by the Amstelveen, while the remainder – probably an equal number of chests – is loaded onto the Geldermalsen, representing a value of fl. 511.
There are no further specifications, but it is probable that we here find a solution to a problem which initially occurred in the identification of the various kinds of porcelain salvaged by Hatcher.
For these include a fair amount of ‘coarse’ pieces of porcelain, They are plates , dishes and bowls made regionally in South China of thick porcelain or stoneware, which have definitely not been for the European market.
These pieces are heavy and sometimes even blunt in shape, the painting is very sketchy in blue-and-white, the glaze has a grey-blue hue. Bottom and footring have often been poorly finished. Sometimes we find on the plates an unglazed border of the same size as the footring at the underside of the plate, except that it is slightly broader, In this way the plats can be stacked during the firing without danger of their sticking together.
We know that this coarse porcelain was definitely unsuitable for sale in Europe, but was bought in for the outer offices and their inter-Asiatic trade. Until a short time ago this kind of pottery was still being used in Indonesia and the Philippines. The quantities recovered are far too much to be considered as private cargo only. Therefore, since the coarse porcelain carried by the Geldermalsen was not intended for Europe and the ship would not put into port anywhere else except the Cape, the conclusion is obvious: this coarse porcelain is part of the cargo purchased for the Cape. Moreover, only recently during an archaeological excavation in Cape Town and Stellenbosch, various kinds of 18th century coarse porcelain have been found.
Possibly we may interpret the letter from the Cape as follows: 2,000 plates of ordinary export porcelain – now no longer traceable in the whole cargo – and 1,200 serving dishes and bowls of coarse porcelain.
Hatcher has recovered a total of 489 serving dishes of various types, as well as 630 bowls, mostly the smaller-sized ones, plus a few large bowls. There are also some plain celadon dishes.
Admittedly, the number of recovered small bowls is much larger than the 400 the Cape asked for. And there will have been even more if we take into account the broken pieces we see on photographs Hatcher took. Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to this puzzling problem, especially because information on the precise location of these bowls is the wreck is lost. Maybe part of this coarse porcelain was also private cargo, to be sold by their owns at the Cape.
The variety in decoration of this group contrasts favourably with the assortment for the Netherlands, There are dishes with a dragon amid flames, dishes with flower sprays and a few dishes with a decoration of two fishes. The small bowls show four varieties in decoration: stylised flower sprays, peonies, precious objects and a river landscape. The bigger bowls have crudely executed flower sprays. (Jörg 1986/1, pp.94-97)
In their attempt to establish the identity of the vessel, Max de Rham and Michael Hatcher made additional dives on the site of the wreck, during a break in the monsoon weather earlier this year. These dives resulted in the recovery of the two bronze canons which are offered in the sale, and the ship's bell which the two partners have donated to the Dutch Nation. The dives, which took place in adverse conditions, were sufficiently revealing to persuade the team to return to the site as soon as the weather allowed. The additional lots, sold in the addional lots catalogue, are the results of these dives undertaken at the end of March 1986. (Amsterdam 1986/2. p.7)
The design on this bowl is categorised under the 'Provincial wares in blue and white'. In total 812 provincial bowls in blue and white with four stylised flowers sprays around an annulet of unglazed biscuit in the interior c.150 mm (6.65 inch) was sold divided as additional lots: 3209A-3209E. (Amsterdam 1986/2, lots 3209-A-3209-E)
Condition: A tiny fleabite to the rim.
References:
Amsterdam 1986/2, p.7 & lots 3209-A-3209-E
Price: € 299 Currency Converter
Shipwreck Porcelains - The Nanking Cargo, 1752
Object 201018
Saucer
China
1752
Provenance: The Nanking Cargo sale, Christie's Amsterdam, 28 April - 2 May 1986
Height 28 mm (1.10 inch), diameter of rim 130 mm (5.12 inch), diameter of footring 80 mm (3.15 inch), weight 78 grams (2.75 ounce (oz.))
Saucer on footring, straight rim. Polychrome decorated in various overglaze enamels with the "Daisy Terrace" pattern. Painted with daisy, camellia and lingzhi, issuing from a terrace enclosed at the right by a fence with kidney-shaped apertures, below a band of spear-heads at the rim. The reverse is undecorated. On the saucer the original Christie's The Nanking Cargo sale label proving it has been one saucer of 100 similar teacups and saucers sold in lot 5167. (Amsterdam 1986, p.237)
In total 396 teacups and saucers and 1,600 teacups without saucers with the "Daisy Terrace" pattern, were sold divided over the lots: 5160-5168 & 5169-5172. (Amsterdam 1986)
Condition: A frit with a connected hairline to the rim.
References:
Price: € 199 Currency Converter
Shipwreck Porcelains - The Nanking Cargo, 1752
Object 2010695
Teacup
China
Provenance: The Nanking Cargo sale, Christie's Amsterdam, 28 April - 2 May 1986
1752
Height 39 mm (1.46 inch), diameter of rim 75 mm (2.95 inch), diameter of footring 35 mm (1.38 inch), weight 38 grams (1.34 ounce (oz.))
Teacup on footring, straight rim. Chinese Imari, decorated in underglaze blue, iron-red and gold with the 'Imari Pavilion' pattern. Painted with a double-roofed pavilion on the slope of a riverbank, a leafy tree overhanging at the back and two outcrops of rock sloping down to the water, a smaller island at the left, beneath a band of trellis-pattern at the rim. On the teacup the original Christie's The Nanking Cargo lot label proving it has been one of 200 similar teacups sold in lot 5200. The original Christie's The Nanking Cargo sale lot label to the base is missing. (Amsterdam 1986, p.239)
In total 2,982 teacups and saucers and 934 teacups without saucers with the 'Imari Pavilion' pattern, were sold divided over the lots: 5179-5196 & 5197-5203. (Amsterdam 1986)
Condition: A firing flaw and five very tiny < 1 mm (0.04 inch) fleabites to the rim.
References:
Amsterdam 1986, lots 5197-5203
Price: € 99 Currency Converter
Shipwreck Porcelains - The Nanking Cargo, 1752
Object 2012145
Teacup and saucer
China
1752
Provenance: The Nanking Cargo sale, Christie's Amsterdam, 28 April - 2 May 1986
Height of teacup 41 mm (1.61 inch), diameter of rim 89 mm (3.50 inch), diameter of footring 38 mm (1.50 inch), weight 70 grams (2.47 ounce (oz.))
Height of saucer 27 mm (1.06 inch), diameter of rim 136 mm (5.35 inch), diameter of footring 75 mm (2.95 inch), weight 122 grams (4.30 ounce (oz.))
Teacup and saucer on footrings, slightly everted rims. Chinese Imari, decorated in underglaze blue, iron-red and gold with the 'Chrysanthemum Rock' pattern in blue and enamels. Painted with chrysanthemum, bamboo and daisy issuing around a jagged outcrop of blue rockwork. On the rim a trellis-pattern border. The teacup is decorated en suite. On the saucer and teacup the original circular paper Christie's The Nanking Cargo sale label and on the teacup the original rectangular paper Christie's lot 5703/48 label, proving they have been one of 48 similar teacups and saucers sold in lot 5703. (Amsterdam 1986, p.263)
On Monday January 3, 1752, the Dutch East India Company, (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie, VOC) vessel Geldermalsen, struck a reef on her return journey to the Netherlands and sank in the South China Sea. Of the crew 32 survived and 80 went down with the ship and her cargo of tea, raw silk, textiles, dried wares, groceries, lacquer and porcelain.
The cargo of Chinese porcelain was originally potted in Jingdezhen, Jiangzi province then shipped to Nanking for delivery to the Dutch East India Company, (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie, VOC) vessel Geldermalsen for final transportation to the Netherlands. The Geldermalsen struck a reef on her return journey to the Netherlands and sank in the South China Sea on January 3, 1752. The cargo was recovered by Captain Michael Hatcher and his team in 1985 and sold by Christie's Amsterdam on 28 April - 2 May 1985 as 'The Nanking Cargo. Chinese Export Porcelain and Gold' two hundred and thirty-five years later. (Jörg 1986/1. pp.39-59)
An interesting detail is that Captain Michael Hatcher found the wreck of the Geldermalsen on the same reef as he earlier, in 1983, found the wreck of a Chinese junk. both wrecks were about a mile apart. This Chinese Junk wreck came to be known as "The Hatcher Junk" she had a cargo of Kraak and Transitional porcelain objects that were dated c.1643. (Sheaf & Kilburn 1988, p.27)
In total 1,382 teacups and saucers and 394 saucers without bowls with the 'Chrysanthemum Rock' pattern in blue and enamels were sold divided over the lots: 5693-5709 and 5710-5715. (Amsterdam 1986)
Condition: Both perfect.
References:
Sheaf & Kilburn 1988, p. 27 & Pl.146
Price: € 399 Currency Converter
Shipwreck Porcelains - The Nanking Cargo, 1752
Object 2011557
Saucer
China
1752
Provenance: The Nanking Cargo sale, Christie's Amsterdam, 28 April - 2 May 1986
Height 24 mm (0.94 inch), diameter of rim 135 mm (5.32 inch), diameter of footring 80 mm (3.15 inch), weight 95 grams (3.35 ounce (oz.))
Saucer on footring, slightly everted rim. Chinese Imari, decorated in underglaze blue, iron-red and gold with the 'Chrysanthemum Rock' pattern in blue and enamels. Painted with chrysanthemum, bamboo and daisy issuing around a jagged outcrop of blue rockwork. On the rim a trellis-pattern border. On the saucer the original Christie's The Nanking Cargo sale label proving it has been one of 130 similar saucers sold in lot 5715. (Amsterdam 1986, p.263)
In total 1,382 teacups and saucers and 394 saucers without bowls with the 'Chrysanthemum Rock' pattern in blue and enamels were sold divided over the lots: 5693-5709 & 5710-5715. (Amsterdam 1986)
Condition: A frit to the footring.
References:
Price: € 199 Currency Converter
Shipwreck Porcelains - The Nanking Cargo, 1752
Object 2011407
Teacup and saucer
China
Provenance: The Nanking Cargo sale, Christie's Amsterdam, 28 April - 2 May 1986
1752
Height of teacup 40 mm (1.57 inch), diameter of rim 75 mm (2.95 inch), diameter of footring 33 mm (1.29 inch), weight 49 grams (1.73 ounce (oz.))
Height of saucer 23 mm (0.91 inch), diameter of rim 116 mm (4.57 inch), diameter of footring 65 mm (2.56 inch), weight 64 grams (2.26 ounce (oz.))
Teacup and saucer on footrings, straight rims. Chinese Imari, decorated in underglaze blue, iron-red, gold and overglaze green enamel with a large leafy pine rising from a smaller cluster of bamboo on a terrace, within bands of scrolls, and trellis at the rim. The reverse is undecorated. The teacup is decorated en suite. On the bases of both the teacup and the saucers the original circular paper Christie's The Nanking Cargo sale lot 5727 labels proving they have been one of 125 similar teacups and saucers sold in lot 5727. (Amsterdam 1986, pp.264-265)
The design on this teacup and saucer is known as the 'The Bamboo and Pine' pattern. In total 1,037 teacups and saucers and 50 teacups without saucers with the 'The Bamboo and Pine' pattern, were sold divided over the lots: 5716-5733. (Amsterdam 1986, pp.264-265)
The iron-red, gold and green enamel overglaze decoration on this teacup and saucer has been well preserved after being submerged in the salt sea water for 233 years. It gives a good impression of what the original overglaze decoration, often completely deteriorated by the salt sea water, must have looked like.
Condition teacup: Perfect.
Condition saucer: Perfect.
References:
Price: € 449 Currency Converter
create websites