Large Diameter Kraak plate, bird on a rock (ca. 1625)


Large Diameter Kraak plate, bird on a rock
Recovered from the Wanli shipwreck (ca. 1625) by Sten Sjostrand
29 cm (11.5 in.) in diameter
Provenance: Nanhai Marine Archeology (Sjostrand Collection) W-755
Coppola Collection

This large diameter kraak plate features a bird on a rock below a flower arrangement. With these motifs, the artist conveys the meaning of chum gung Chang shou, which refers to “spring time and longevity” in the Chinese. This is a motif that was popular during the Ming Dynasty. Together, these motifs connote a blessing for vibrant youth, healthiness, and long life. The designs are quite crisp, well-drawn, and stand out against the white background. The plate is completely intact and there are no “tender edges” (chips of the glaze) along the rim. There is a small dent baked into the shape (maybe an original thumbprint in the outer rim), which, all things considered, is pretty cool.

In the year 1625, a Portuguese vessel set off from China on a voyage to the Straits of Melaka. Onboard were tons of chinaware and pottery that would bring lucrative profits for the Portuguese.

However, the ship now named “Wanli” never reached the Portuguese fort of Melaka as she sank half way sailing through the South China Sea. The wreckage was discovered buried deep in the ocean off the coast of Terengganu, together with her precious cargo, six miles off the east coast of Malaysia after pottery appeared in fishermen’s nets in 1998.

The ship was found six years later, loaded with blue and white antique Chinese porcelains belonging to the Ming Dynasty, the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644. The vessel became known as the Wanlishipwreck after the recovered ceramic was assigned to Guangyinge site in the town of Jingdezhen during the reign of Emperor Wanli (1573-1620).

Kraak porcelain (Dutch Kraakporselein) is a type of Chinese export porcelain produced mainly from the Wanli reign (1573–1620). It was among the first Chinese export ware to arrive in Europe in mass quantities, and was frequently featured in Dutch still life paintings of foreign luxuries.

Strictly defined, it “is distinguished by the arrangement of its ornament into panels; these usually radiate to a bracketed rim notorious for its liability to chip.” It is mostly made as deep bowls and wide dishes, decorated with motifs from nature, in a style not used on wares for the domestic Chinese market.

The term Kraak porcelain is thought to be derived from the Portuguese ships (Carracks) in which it was transported.  Kraak ware is almost all painted in the underglazed cobalt blue style that was perfected under the Ming dynasty.

Wanli shipwreck: Peony Dish (ca. 1625)


Peony Dish
Recovered from the Wanli shipwreck (ca. 1625) by Sten Sjostrand
21.5 cm (8.5 in.) in diameter
Provenance: Nanhai Marine Archeology (Sjostrand Collection) W-2162
Coppola Collection

In the year 1625, a Portuguese vessel set off from China on a voyage to the Straits of Melaka. Onboard were tons of chinaware and pottery that would bring lucrative profits for the Portuguese.

However, the ship now named “Wanli” never reached the Portuguese fort of Melaka as she sank half way sailing through the South China Sea. The wreckage was discovered buried deep in the ocean off the coast of Terengganu, together with her precious cargo, six miles off the east coast of Malaysia after pottery appeared in fishermen’s nets in 1998.

This is a very rare peony decorated dish, painted in “reserve” (where the background, rather than the motif, is painted in blue).

The peony is the symbol for value and nobility and considered to be one of the most exquisite flowers. The peony design was popular already in the Tang Dynasties and became known as the “king of flowers” because it was often seen in palaces. Being a symbol of spring, the peony is also used as a metaphor for female beauty and fertility. When shown in full bloom, as on this dish, it symbolizes peace. The dish is totally intact and shows good contrast in its well-rendered decorations.

There are some short sections of “tender edges” on the rim (or as the Japanese more graphically described it, ‘moth-eaten’ edges). These are a technical fault in early 17th century porcelain. The effect is seen when the glaze breaks off in patches along sharp edges in a rather irregular manner and particularly common on the rims of bowls, dishes and plates. The cause is complex, but is mainly due to the physical properties of the raw materials and the varying surface tensions of the ingredients of the body and glaze. The fault was overcome in the later part of the 17th century when the potters adjusted the proportions of raw materials.

Tender edges are a commonly acceptable factor for authenticity and are not mended, as a principle,  as it adds to the provenance of the ware. The ‘faking’ of ‘tender edges’ is not possible as the edges of the broken off pieces cannot be made as sharp at the original.

According to Sten, this is one of the best peony dishes from the shipwreck. The glaze is in excellent condition. The painting is crispy blue and well executed.

Nanyang Shipwreck: Sisatchanali ring-handled bottle (ca. 1380)


Nanyang Shipwreck: Sisatchanali ring-handled bottle
Recovered from the Nanyang shipwreck by Sten Sjostrand
15 cm (5.9 in.) in height
Provenance: Nanhai Marine Archeology items N-808
The Coppola Collection

The Nanyang cargo (date range 1372-1390) is one of the earliest discoveries of true Celedon from the Sisatchanali kilns.  There were 402 pieces recovered from the Nanyangsite.

This piece is considered to be among the earliest examples of ring-handled bottles that came from the northern village (Ban Ko Noi) of the Sisatchanali city. It dates to about CE 1380. The bottle is totally intact with good glaze remains. This type of bottle is rare and difficult to find (at least authentic examples) in the antique market or museums.

Xuande Shipwreck: Covered Jar (ca. 1540)


Xuande Shipwreck: Covered Jar (ca. 1540)
Pre-celadon underglaze-ware covered jar
Recovered from the Xuande shipwreck (ca. 1540) by Sten Sjostrand
9 cm (3.5 in.) in height
Provenance: Nanhai Marine Archeology items X-158
The Coppola Collection

This jar is my only piece representing the Xuande shipwreck recovery.

This jar was made at the Sisachanalai kilns during its later underglaze production period. The lid is still fused to the body and has therefore remained unopened for almost 500 years! The decorations are nicely executed and the glaze condition is impeccable.

For more about Shipwreck stoneware and porcelain, see here.

Wanli shipwreck: Table motif Kraak plates (ca. 1625)


Pair of Kraak plates, table motif
Recovered from the Wanli shipwreck (ca. 1625) by Sten Sjostrand
each: 29.5 cm (11.5 in.) in diameter
Provenance: Nanhai Marine Archeology (Sjostrand Collection)
Coppola Collection

In the year 1625, a Portuguese vessel set off from China on a voyage to the Straits of Melaka. Onboard were tons of chinaware and pottery that would bring lucrative profits for the Portuguese.

However, the ship now named “Wanli” never reached the Portuguese fort of Melaka as she sank half way sailing through the South China Sea. The wreckage was discovered buried deep in the ocean off the coast of Terengganu, together with her precious cargo, six miles off the east coast of Malaysia after pottery appeared in fishermen’s nets in 1998.

The ship was found six years later, loaded with blue and white antique Chinese porcelains belonging to the Ming Dynasty, the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644. The vessel became known as the Wanli shipwreck after the recovered ceramic was assigned to Guangyinge site in the town of Jingdezhen during the reign of Emperor Wanli (1573-1620).

Kraak porcelain (Dutch Kraakporselein) is a type of Chinese export porcelain produced mainly from the Wanli reign (1573–1620). It was among the first Chinese export ware to arrive in Europe in mass quantities, and was frequently featured in Dutch still life paintings of foreign luxuries.

Strictly defined, it “is distinguished by the arrangement of its ornament into panels; these usually radiate to a bracketed rim notorious for its liability to chip.” It is mostly made as deep bowls and wide dishes, decorated with motifs from nature, in a style not used on wares for the domestic Chinese market.

The term Kraak porcelain is thought to be derived from the Portuguese ships (Carracks) in which it was transported.

Kraak ware is almost all painted in the underglazed cobalt blue style that was perfected under the Ming dynasty.

These are one of two unusual and pristine pairs that were part of the archeologists personal collection. He has the other pair.

For more about Shipwreck stoneware and porcelain, see here.

Turiang shipwreck: pre-celadon fish plates (ca. 1370)


Pair of pre-celadon underglaze-ware plates, decorated with fish
Recovered from the Turiang shipwreck (ca. 1305-1370) by Sten Sjostrand
24 cm (9.5 in.) in diameter
The Coppola Collection

Turiang is the name given to a shipwreck found on May 13, 1998 in the South China Sea, not far from Singapore. The plates were made at the Sukhothai kilns by immigrant potters from Cizhou in northern China. The underglaze decoration, a stylized fish (long life) motif on top of a slip layer in iron oxide before glazing, is typical of the 14th -15th century production at Sukhothai. The one on the left (above) is one of the very few fish plates were the fish is pointing to the right. The base of the plate shows the typical Sukhothai clay with white (quartz) impurities, and they are exceptionally rare.

For more about Shipwreck stoneware and porcelain, see here.