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 2011168
Dish
China
c.1751
Provenance: The Nanking Cargo sale, Christie's Amsterdam, 28 April - 2 May 1986
Height 25 mm (0.98 inch), diameter of rim 234 mm (9.21 inch), diameter of footring 127 mm (5.00 inch), weight 363 grams (12.80 ounce (oz.))
Dish on footring, flat rim. Decorated in underglaze blue with the "Boatman and six-flower border" pattern in blue and enamels. Painted with a fisherman punting his boat in a wide river landscape, with two-storey pavilion beside pine and tall rockwork at the near bank within a band of spearheads at the well, the border with six fruit and flower sprays including pomegranate within a band of trellis-pattern at the rim. On the dish the original Christie's The Nanking Cargo sale label proving it has been one of 48 similar dishes sold in lot 2013. All the Imari decoration has been eroded by the sea now remaining only visible as ghostly outlines. (Amsterdam 1986)
In total 1,218 dishes with the 'Boatman and six-flower border' pattern in blue and enamels were sold divided over the lots: 2001-2028. (Amsterdam 1986)
Condition: Fine crazing to the glaze and chips, frits and a fleabite to the rim.
References:
Amsterdam 1986, lots 2001-2028
Sheaf & Kilburn 1988, pp.115-122
Price: € 199 Currency Converter
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 2010810
Bowl
China
c.1751
Provenance: The Nanking Cargo sale, Christie's Amsterdam, 28 April - 2 May 1986
Height 86 mm (3.39 inch), diameter of rim 190 mm (7.48 inch), diameter of footring 87 mm (3.43 inch), weight 483 grams (17.03 ounce (oz.))
Bowl on footring with spreading sides and a straight rim. Polychrome decorated, only visible in ghost form, all the enamels have been eroded by the salt sea water, with the 'Other' patterns, two birds in flight between peony and a branch of flowering peach. On the base the original Christie's The Nanking Cargo sale label proving it has been one of 48 bowls sold in lot 3159. (Amsterdam 1986, p.130)
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)
In total 119 bowls with the 'Other' patterns, (two birds in flight between peony and a branch of flowering peach), were sold divided over the lots: 3158-3160. (Amsterdam 1986)
Condition: Two tiny frits (right next to each other) and a hairline to the rim
References:
Price: € 299 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 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
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