Hoi An Blue And White Dishes With Begonia

Late 15th-Early 16th Century

A blue and white porcelain dish. Central begonia flower with lobed petals painted beneath the creamy glazed white ground; surrounded by a double line border beneath an alternating flower head and double leaf spray meander. Reverse decorated with jeweled lappets band and brown wash to the recessed base.

This porcelain comes from the Hoi An shipwreck, sank in the late 15th-early 16th century. Fishermen discovered the wreck in the early 90s, in the open seas off Cu Lao Cham Island, known as the most capricious waters in Vietnam. The government soon realised the importance of the cargo and got involved, ordering underwater excavations (1997-1999). Indeed, more than 150,000 objects were found. Produced in the middle 15th century, these ceramics comes from the Hai Duong province (North Vietnam), which is know to be the biggest production center of ceramics and porcelain of medieval Vietnam. At that time, the Ming dynasty in China decreed a ban on maritime exports to Southeast Asia and other countries, leaving the opportunity for Vietnam to foster its ceramics and porcelain production.

Ceramics from the Hoi An Hoard is nowadays known to be the most precious and complete representation of Vietnamese artisanship in glazed ceramics.

Ref: Butterfields, Treasures From The Hoi An Hoard - Important Vietnamese Ceramics from a Late 15th / Early 16th Century Cargo, Volumes 1 & 2, lot 1123

Diameter: 22 - 24 cm/Height: 5 cm

Price is for each item. Please note this is a general listing. Colour may vary slightly.