#6129 • Ming Dynasty Vung Tau Shipwreck Unity Jar

Part of Royal Artifacts of Vietnam & Fine Jewelry (timed auction by GWS Auctions)

Starting at $1.00

Status: Sold

Est. $30,000-$35,000 Ming Dynasty Coralized Vung Tau Shipwreck Blue Underglazed White Porcelain Unity Jar W/Fenghuang & Dragon Motif - This magnificent piece is a porcelain unity jar made during the Ming Dynasty. The jar is elaborately decorated in a vivid blue underglaze with an ornate fenghuang and dragon motif. According to legend, the Fenghuang only appears in areas or places that are blessed with utmost peace and prosperity or happiness. It is a symbol of high virtue and grace, and is said to represent power sent from the heavens to the Empress. The dragon has five claws, suggesting that the piece was made for the royal court, as pieces made for nobility were depicted with five claws while pieces made for the public depicted the dragons with four claws or less. According to our seller, this piece was recovered from the Vung Tau shipwreck, which sank around 1690 off of the coast of Vietnam. The wreck was discovered in 1986 and soon local divers had pulled a large number of porcelain pieces from the vessel. Eventually these activities were stopped by the Vietnamese government, which arranged for commercial salvager Sverker Hallstrom to excavate the wreck. There were approx. 48,000 pieces recovered from the site, some of which went to antique dealers in Vietnam, Hong Kong, and Singapore before being halted by the Vietnamese government. Several pieces were chosen for Vietnamese museums before the remaining pieces were sold by Christies Amsterdam in 1992, where they realized a return of $7.3 million. This incredible piece truly belongs in a museum, or with the most astute collector. Measurements (approximate): 5"H x 11.5" in diameter.