Ca Mau Shipwreck Porcelain Cup, Circa 1725

The Ghost from the Abyss

Imagine the South China Sea in 1725. The ship, a Chinese junk, leaves the port of Canton bound for the Dutch port of Batavia (modern-day Jakarta), heavy with cargo destined for the European market, where Chinese imperial porcelain was the pinnacle of luxury at the time.

The journey ends abruptly off the coast of Ca Mau, Vietnam.

The ship sinks, taking with it a true treasure.
Having remained for nearly three centuries in the silence of the abyss, protected by sand and currents, this cup was discovered in 1998 by Vietnamese fishermen and subsequently excavated during a major archaeological campaign.

It is a rare piece, steeped in history.

The Galerie POPINCOURT Perspective

"Blue and white" porcelain produced in Jingdezhen, the world capital of ceramics.
The floral motif is typical of the era, featuring plum blossoms or peonies.
Beneath its base, it preciously retains:
The original Sotheby's - UNICOM label, a guarantee of legal and certified provenance.
The manual inventory number (15788), inscribed in ink by experts when it was brought to the surface.
Crafted during the reign of the Yongzheng Emperor (Qing Dynasty), this "Blue and White" porcelain features a highly refined, hand-painted floral design.
Look closely; the slight erosion on the rim is not a defect, but "sea marks." These are the poetic scars left by salt and time, proving its long sojourn in the depths. Every reflection in its glaze tells three centuries of maritime history and the splendor of the Silk Road.
This is not just an antique, it is a museum piece with impeccable traceability. This cup was part of the historic sale organized by Sotheby's in Amsterdam in 2007.

Information 

Origin: Ca Mau shipwreck, Vietnam (c. 1725).
Period: 18th century - Qing Dynasty, Yongzheng period.
Provenance: Private collection - Ex Sotheby's.
Floral Design: Plum blossom or peony.
Material: Porcelain
Dimensions: Diameter 72 mm Height 40 mm (2.83"x 1.57")
Weight: 51 grams

Condition 

Structurally sound, "as-recovered," natural marine erosion due to the action of sea salt and sand during nearly 300 years of immersion.

Included in the shipment

Porcelain cup from the Ca Mau shipwreck
Certificate of Authenticity