Cer, China, Ming, moulded white porcelain

High sided, white porcelain cup with moulded design of prunus branches.

Given by Arqueonautas Worldwide - Arqueologia Subaquatica, S.A.

This objects was recovered from the wreck of a 16th century Portuguese Galleon ship, now known as the Fort San Sebastian wreck of 1558. It was discovered off the coast of Mozambique. This object dates to the reign of the Jiajing emperor (1522-66).

Historical significance: This object illustrates the movement of Chinese ceramics to African lands and illustrate the wider global networks through which Chinese ceramics were traded during the 16th century. It also gives some indication of the appreciation of Chinese ceramics in different parts of the world.

In the course of the 16th century the island of Mozambique became Portugal's most important station in Africa and one of the four most important bases in the empire (others being Goa, Malacca and Macau). Rapidly the island prospered and became the principle centre of African trade and the most important nodal point within the Western empire. Due to the increasing importance if this harbour in 1545 the decision was taken to fortify the northern end of the island with the monumental Fortaleza de Sao Sebastiao. 456 years later and only 480 meters away from this fortress, marine archeologists discovered the remains of an early Portuguese ship. the cargo included a large number of Chinese ceramics, mostly blue and white.

This delicate white porcelain cup is very light and finely potted. A design of prunus branches has been moulded into the sides of the cup creating a subtle and elegant effect.

The cup was recovered from a Portuguese ship wreck, circa 1558, off the coast of Mozambique, in Africa in 2001. This suggests that Chinese ceramics were already being traded in Africa during the late 16th century

FE.61-2008