Large Chinese Enamelled Copper Bowl with Dragons

Comprising four glazed ceramic vessels: two shallow dishes and two footed bowls with everted rim and basal ring. 659 grams total, 9.1-16 cm wide



Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.

The Tek Sing (True Star) wreck is one of the famous recovery stories of the 20th century. Sailing from the port of Xiamen (then known as Amoy) in February 1822 the vessel Tek Sing was bound for Jakarta, Indonesia laden with porcelain goods and 1600 Chinese emigrants. The captain decided to pass through the Gaspar Strait, between the Bangka-Belitung Islands, and ran aground on a reef. The vessel sank in about 100 feet of water. The next morning, February 7, an English East Indian vessel captained by James Pearl, passing through the same waters, encountered debris and some survivors and managed to rescue about 190 of the latter.

With an associated lid, painted with a blue design composed of plants and leaves. 220 grams total, 10.2 cm wide

Fine condition.

Ex Sotheby's, Amsterdam, 2007.

The Cau Mau shipwreck refers to a cargo of Chinese porcelain sunk between 1723 and 1735 off the coast of Vietnam. The wreck was discovered by Vietnamese fishermen in 1998. It is believed the wreck was a merchant’s junk on its way from Canton (Guangzhou) to Batavia when it caught fire and sank. The ship was carrying goods destined for Dutch traders who had limited access to China and its ports.

In floor-length courtly dress with hands enfolded within the sleeves; pink and green pigment, on an integral base formed as a train to the robe, some restoration. 7 kg, 59.5 cm high

Finely modelled.

Acquired 1990s-2000. Ex D.N. collection. Accompanied by a thermoluminescence test certificate no.C122f60 issued by Oxford Authentication. Accompanied by a thermoluminescence test certificate no.CJ10255222022 issued by Laboratory Kotalla. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate no.11249-189440.