Tek Sing Treasure Shipwreck Glazed Blue and White Bowl Set

Comprising: squat bowl with random geometric ornament; diffuser with crackle-glaze finish, calligraphic legend; hollow-formed glazed ceramic pixiu. 1.04 kg total, 8.5-12 cm



From the private collection of a Canadian gentleman living in Essex, UK, formed since the 1920s-circa 1990. Property of an Essex lady until the the late 1990s; thence by descent. From the private collection of an Essex gentleman since the late 1990s.

Comprising three bowls, one footed with scroll decoration to the outer face; one with tendrils to both faces and decorative border to the outer face; one with dashes and concentric circles; a lidded cylindrical box; two bowls repaired and box lid chipped. 762 grams total, 7.4-14 cm



Ex Nagel Auction, with official Tek Sing Treasure labels to verso. Accompanied by an illustrated information sheet about the Tek Sing shipwreck.

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 Indiaman captained by James Pearl, passing through the same waters, encountered debris and some survivors and managed to rescue about 190 of the latter.

Modelled in the round on a rectangular base, horse with integral saddlecloth and saddle, crupper, bridle and harness, rider with riding coat and boots, flared bell-sleeves; tall winged headdress; much pigment remaining including floral pattern to coat; left arm absent. 2.04 kg, 39 cm high



Ex David Miller, Hemel Hempstead, London, UK. From the private collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the early 2000s.