18th C. Chinese Export Christie's 'Nanking Cargo' Blue and White Tea Bowl & Saucer, c. 1750CHRISTIE'S LOT 5064, THE 'PAGODA RIVERSCAPE' PATTERN, LARGE SIZE, BLUE AND WHITE TEABOWL AND SAUCER painted at the right with a double-roofed pagoda on a rocky riverbank dividing straggling leafless trees and shrubs, an island appearing in the background at the left, below a band of trellis-pattern at the rim, the bowl with the scene on the exterior, circa 1750. The tea bowl 2 7/8 in. (7.5 cm) diameter, the saucer 4 5/8 in. (12 cm) diameter.
On Monday January 3, 1752, the Dutch East India Company (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie, VOC) ship
Geldermalsen, with cargo holds full of Chinese goods loaded in Canton, struck a coral reef on her return journey to the Netherlands and sank in the South China Sea. The
Geldermalsen was one of six ships commissioned in 1746 by the Zeeland Chamber, the second most powerful of the six chambers of the VOC. The ships were merchant vessels which the VOC used for long-distance trade to the West Indies, and the Far East round the Cape to Batavia (modern day Jakarta), Canton and South Chinese waters.
In May of 1985 in the South China Sea, Captain Michael (Mike) Hatcher discovered the wreck of the
Geldermalsen. In April and May of 1986, the bulk of the cargo salvaged by Captain Hatcher was sold at auction through Christie's sales room in Amsterdam as the 'Nanking Cargo'.
CHRISTIE'S NANKING CARGO
Partial Display of Lot 5064
The 'Pagoda Riverscape' Pattern
Description of Lot 5064
Dimensions & Weight
Dimensions: Tea Bowl 2 7/8 in. DIA; Saucer 4 5/8 in. DIA
Weight: 3.4 oz.
Carton Dimensions: 8"L x 8"W x 8"H
Carton Weight: 2 lbs.
Private collection in Salem, Massachusetts.
