Desaru
ship


 

Ceramics

The number of ceramic pieces of each type recovered from the Desaru ship is listed at the end of this section.

 
Type number & description
Lion-dog dish
1: Lion dog dish
Large porcelain dish from Jingdezhen; rounded sides with a well-mended low foot-ring. Infrequent chatter marks can be seen in the base. The dish is decorated in underglaze cobalt blue and copper red, and depicts a lion dog playing with a brocade ball. Four bands of stylised Tibetan characters decorate the cavetto. The lion dog, or dog of fu, is the Buddhist guardian lion; it looks like a Pekinese dog with a brushy tail. It is often shown playing with a ball and ribbons. It appears in the Ming dynasty but also used in Qing dynasty. The base is unglazed.
Size: 27-29 cm diameter.
Flower dish
2 & 2.1: Flower dish
Large dish from Jingdezhen; rounded sides with a well-mended low foot-ring and unglazed base. Infrequent chatter marks can be seen in the base. The dish is decorated in underglaze cobalt blue, and features stylised chrysanthemum blossoms amidst scroll motifs. The chrysanthemum flower is the emblem of autumn and steadfast friendship, associated with a life of ease and retirement. The flower can be used as a tonic or cosmetic. It appears in decorations from the Yuan dynasty (1280-1368) onwards.
2 - large: 27-29 cm diameter.
2.1 - medium: 23-25 cm diameter.
Longevity dish
3 & 3.1: Longevity dish
Large dish from Jingdezhen; rounded sides with a well-mended low foot-ring and unglazed base. Infrequent chatter marks can be seen in the base. The dish is decorated in underglaze cobalt blue. It shows the Chinese character shou (for long life) at the centre with bands of a stylised Sanskrit character for om (sacred syllable) on the cavetto. The longevity mark promises a long happy life, full of good luck and happy circumstances.
3 - large: 27-29 cm diameter.
3.1 - medium: 23-25 cm diameter.
Small flower dish, face & base 4: Small flower dish
Small dish with rounded sides and a well-made low foot-ring. Probably manufactured at one of the Dehua kilns. The centre medallion is decorated in cobalt blue, and features stylised chrysanthemums altering with various scroll motifs. The chrysanthemum flower is the emblem of autumn and steadfast friendship. The base is glazed and shows the manufacturer's mark in cobalt blue.
Size: 17-19 cm diameter.
Character dish 5: Character dish
Small dish with rounded sides and low foot-ring. Probably manufactured at one of the Dehua kilns. The centre medallion is decorated in cobalt blue, and features the Sanskrit character for om (sacred syllable), and three tiers of a stylised version of the same character on the cavetto. The base is glazed and shows the manufacturer's mark in cobalt blue.
Size: 17-19 cm diameter.
Flower plate 7: Flower plate
Small well-made dish with flat rim, decorated in cobalt blue oxides, with a stylised chrysanthemum flower surrounded by a flower spray in the medallion. The plate is probably made in the Jingdezhen area. The base, which is low and well-mended, is glazed, and shows the manufacturer's mark in cobalt blue.
Size: 18-21 cm diameter.
Flower saucer 8: Flower saucer
Similar design as the above flower plate: exterior decorated in cobalt blue with a lingzhi fungus motif connected by a scroll of fungus. The base is glazed and shows the mark of its manufacturer.
Size: 9-11 cm diameter.
Flower bowl 9: Flower bowl
Bowl with everted mouth rim, decorated with cobalt blue oxide, showing a lingzhi fungus motif at the centre bottom, a fungus scroll at the mouth rim, and lotus scroll above a band of lotus panels on the exterior. The base is glazed and shows the manufacturer's name.
Size: 13-15 cm diameter.
lotus-shape flower bowl

10: Lotus-shape flower bowl
Blue and white decorated bowl with straight mouth rim. The decoration, a lotus flower and scrolls, is drawn only in outline, not filled with the traditional wash. The foot-ring is well-mended, glazed and shows the manufacturer's mark in the glazed base.
Size: 13-15 cm diameter.

celadon white bowl 11: Celadon-white bowl
Chinese bowl from the Jingdezhen area with a translucent glaze on the interior and celadon glaze on the exterior. The foot-ring and manufacturer's mark are similar to those of the bowls listed above.
Size: 13-15 cm diameter.
qing bowl 12: Qing bowl
Chinese bowl from Guangdong province. The underglaze blackish-blue decoration includes floral motifs equally spaced round the exterior. The interior has an unglazed stacking ring.
Size: 13-15cm diameter.
spoon
13: Spoon
More than 50,000 spoons were found on the ship. There were three main designs and qualities. The 'nice' spoon was perfectly moulded and finished, and decorated with a finely drawn floral motif. Another design included the Chinese symbols for yin and yang. Most spoons however were decorated with a simple floral scroll. The base is usually rather rough and has a low unglazed foot-ring.
Size: 10-11 cm long.
covered bowl
14: Covered bowl
Chinese blue and white covered bowl from Jingdezhen. This example is decorated with four double-happiness characters, alternating with geometric motifs, equally spaced around the exterior of the body. Other covered bowls of the same size and form have similar exterior decoration featuring various flower motifs. The base is very low and glazed but does not show any mark of the manufacturer. The foot-ring is thin and free from glaze and grits.
Size: 10-12 cm high.
yixing teapot
15, 15.1 & 15.2: Yixing teapot
Chinese Yixing teapots from Jiangsu province. Various potters' marks and seals appear on the base. These pots are handmade and beaten into the desired shape, usually by famous potters specializing in teapot making.
15 - Small: 4-6 cm high.
15.1 - Medium: 8-10 cm high.
15.2 - Large: 10-12 cm high.
teapot with cover
16: Teapot with cover
Chinese blue and white teapot with recessed lid, probably made at one of the Jingdezhen kilns. The clay is white, glaze is clear and transparent, and the foot-ring is low but well mended. Decorations around the body are made within a centralized band of medallions, separated by two bands of stylized lappets. The missing handle was probably made of double brass wires, fitting into the double bracket. The base is glazed but shows no manufacturer's mark.
Size: 16-18 cm high.
black-glazed basin
17: Black-glazed basin
'Flowerpot' from southern China, thrown on a wheel. A number of carved, horizontal lines high on the body terminate at the rounded mouth rim. Black-glazed, with no other decoration. These pots were fired on spur discs; many show spur marks from rectangular discs.
Size: 12-14cm high.
black-glazed covered box
18: Black-glazed covered box
Yixing covered boxes: in sets of four, of different sizes, fitting one inside the other. Originally green-glazed, many of the boxes had turned black due to oxidation. These pots are light due to their porous clay and thin walls. They are handmade in traditional Yixing manner. The box and lid form imitate 'Jun' ware dating from the Song dynasty.
Size: 9-22cm high.
brown-glazed basin
19: Brown-glazed basin
Brown-glazed garden pot from southern China, made of coarse clay thrown on a wheel in diminishing sizes (sets of three). The exterior is decorated with various stamped motifs. A light brownish glaze ends well above the foot-ring. The mouth rim and foot-ring are cut flat.
Size: 7, 10 and 11 cm high.
brown-glazed bowls
20: Brown-glazed bowls
Garden pots made from Yixing clay. These pots, like all other Yixing wares, are assembled from a round handmade base and rectangular side pieces, assembled into a desired shape and then beaten into the final form. These pots are extremely light in weight. The joint between the side and bottom piece can often be seen.
Size: 11- 24 cm diameter.
brown-glazed jar
21: Brown-glazed jar
Brown-glazed storage jar from southern China, of very coarse clay and roughly finished. Jars of this type were stored below deck, and accommodated smaller pots of various types. The shoulder and upper body are decorated with crossing horizontal and vertical carved lines.
Size: 18-20 cm high.
brown-glazed storage jar
22: Brown-glazed storage jar
Larger brown-glazed storage jar from southern China, of very coarse clay and roughly finished. Jars of this type were stored below deck, and accommodated smaller pots of various types. The shoulder and upper body are decorated with crossing horizontal and vertical carved lines.
Size: 49-51cm high.
brown-glazed urn
23: Brown-glazed urn
Smaller brown-glazed storage jar from southern China, of very coarse clay and roughly finished. These jars were stored below deck, filling the cargo space between larger jars. The shoulder and upper body are decorated with crossing horizontal and vertical carved lines. The glaze ends above the base.
Size: 15-17 cm high.
brown-glazed kendi
24: Brown-glazed kendi
Unusual type of kendi, apparently of the same rough clay as the storage jars and probably made in southern China. The kendis are likely to have been used for wine or other relatively valuable drinks, rather than water. These kendis belong to the same group as the brown-glazed urns (32) and ring-handled spouted jar (33).
Size: 24 cm high.
guan covered jar
25: 'Guan' covered jar
This type of jar is often referred to as a Kamcheng and was made at Jingdezhen. The lid handle is moulded in the form of a Buddhist lion (lion dog or 'dog of fu'), and the cobalt blue decoration includes sweet pea blossoms on a ground of sweet pea foliage. Pairs of small handles are set below the shoulder. The form of the Kamcheng is derived from the 'Guan' shaped jar of the Yuan dynasty.
Size: 20-25 cm high.
enamel-decorated covered bowl
26: Enamel-decorated covered bowl
Thin-walled white porcelain bowl, made at Jingdezhen, and often used for serving wine. The lid is 'reversible' and can be used to serve smaller dishes. The bowl has an overglaze enamel motif, depicting anything from bamboo to dragons. A few of these bowls show calligraphic characters often quoting famous Chinese poems.
Size: 8.5cm high.
water pot
27: Water pot
Yixing chamber pot or water pot assembled from handmade pieces of clay. The colour of the clay, as with other Yixing wares, varies greatly. Water pots seen elsewhere are mostly green-glazed, while many pots on the Desaru ship were black-glazed. The green-glazed pots are often oxidized, appearing black.
Size: 13.5 cm high.
spouted jar
28: Spouted jar
Brown-glazed spouted jar made at Yixing, assembled from individual pieces of clay, and used to store and serve wine. Four lug handles are distributed evenly around the flattened shoulder. These jars are most commonly black-glazed, and have no decoration of any kind.
Size: 14cm high.
tall basin
29: Tall basin
Yixing jar, unusual for the carved vertical striations on the exterior. These basins were found with lids, stored in separate areas. As with other Yixing wares, the basins are assembled from individual pieces of clay. Originally covered with green and black glaze, some of the green-glazed basins appear black due to oxidation.
Size: 22cm high.
wine cup
30: Wine cup
Wine or tea cup from Dehua or other Fukien kilns. The sides are straight with a rounded mouth rim. Geometric motifs are painted in cobalt oxide. The base is glazed, with no manufacturer's mark.
Size: 4 -5 cm high.
tea bowl
31: Tea bowl
Teacup from Dehua or other Fukien kilns. The sides are everted and end with a slightly rounded attachment to the foot-ring. The bowls are plain or show light cobalt blue decorations. The base is unglazed, with no manufacturer's mark.
Size: 4-5 cm high.
brown-glazed spouted jar
32: Brown-glazed spouted jar
These urns of rather rough clay are probably made in southern China and belong to the same group as the brown-glazed kendis (24) and ring-handled spouted jar (33). The spout resembles the traditional Arabic style, but is crudely attached to the body. The glaze ends well above the base.
Size: 25 cm high.
ring-handled spouted jar
33: Ring-handled spouted jar
One of these jars was found. It probably comes from southern China, and is of the same group as the brown-glazed urns (32) but with a refinement: an additional pad below the handles, attached high on the shoulder. The glaze terminates in the middle of the body. The jar is likely to have been used to hold and serve water.
Size: 25 cm high.
shanghai jar
34: Shanghai jar
The 'Shanghai jars', actually made at Suzhou, are of coarse clay, similar to that used in the brown-glazed kendis and urns. The exterior is glazed in yellow-brown slip over hand-formed and carved motifs which include flowers, birds, bamboo and dragons. A key fret normally decorated the shoulder. Jars of this type were once used to store preserved eggs.
Size: 75 cm high.
green-glazed storage jar

35: Green-glazed storage jar
These storage jars are of a clay apparently identical to that of the Shanghai jars, so are probably from Suzhou. They were originally green-glazed, and have no decoration.
Size: 75 cm high.

large beaker
36: Large beaker
These beakers are made from coarse clay with frequent grits of stones. They probably come from southern China, and are rather heavy for wheel-thrown pots. They have no decoration, but the mouth rim is well mended.
Size: 47 cm diameter.
gunpowder urn
37: Gunpowder urn
Globular, black-glazed stoneware jar with short neck and four small lug handles placed high on the shoulder. Two were found; they are thought to have contained gunpowder.
Size: 35 cm high.
spring dish
38: Spring dish
These dishes, made at Jingdezhen, are decorated with blue cobalt oxide and red copper oxides below a clear glaze. The design features birds and prunus blossoms against a backdrop of a lake and what may be a pavilion in the foreground.
Size: 24.5 cm diameter.
mineral water bottle
39: Mineral water bottle
Light-brown stoneware bottle. On the shoulder is a stamped medallion showing a lion rampant encircled by the letters 'SELTERS'. This may be the name of the German manufacturer. Under this is a horizontal inscription 'HERZUGTHUM NASSAU'. The bottle is dated to c.1800(1).
Size: 29 cm high.

 

Ref
Category
Type
Sizes, cm
Origin
No. recovered
Shards conv.
Total no.
1.
Lion dog dish
porcelain
27 D
Jingdezhen
57
29
86
2.
Flower dish
porcelain
27-29 D
Jingdezhen
919
233
1152
3.
Longevity dish
porcelain
27-29 D
Jingdezhen
305
105
410
4.
Small flower dish
porcelain
17-19 D
Dehua
14
12
26
5.
Character dish
porcelain
17-19 D
Dehua
115
36
151
7.
Flower plate
porcelain
18-21 D
Jingdezhen
165
78
243
8.
Flower saucer
porcelain
9-11D
Jingdezhen
166
38
204
9.
Flower bowl
porcelain
13-15D
Jingdezhen
3594
451
4045
10.
Lotus bowl
porcelain
13-15D
Jingdezhen
41
33
74
11.
Celadon glazed bowl
porcelain
13-15D
Jingdezhen
264
64
328
12.
Kitchen Qing
porcelain
13-15D
Guangdong
61
12
73
13.
Blue & white spoon
porcelain
10-11 L
?
50078
274
50352
14.
Covered bowl
porcelain
10-12 H
Jingdezhen
271
43
314
15.
Yixing teapot
stoneware
4-6 H
Yixing
769
108
877
16.
Blue/white teapot
porcelain
16-18H
Jingdezhen
26
6
32
17.
Black-glazed basin
stoneware
12-14H
S.China
625
786
1411
18.
Blk-glazed covered box
stoneware
9-22H
Yixing
1171
1495
2666
19.
Brown-glazed basin
stoneware
7-11H
S.China
1856
683
2539
20.
Brown-glazed bowl
stoneware
11-24D
Yixing
876
890
1766
21.
Brown-glazed jar
stoneware
18-20H
S.China
954
571
1525
22.
Brown-glazed jar
stoneware
49-51 H
S.China
335
298
633
23.
Brown-glazed urn
stoneware
15-17H
S.China
2
0
2
24.
Brown-glazed kendi
stoneware
24H
S.China
4
0
4
25.
Guan covered jar
porcelain
20-25H
Jingdezhen
77
16
93
26.
Enamel cov. bowl
porcelain
8,5H
Jingdezhen
150
15
165
27.
Water pot
stoneware
13,5H
Yixing
257
52
309
28.
Spouted jar
stoneware
14H
Yixing
1
0
1
29.
Tall basin
stoneware
22H
Yixing
50
10
60
30.
Wine cup
porcelain
4-5H
Dehua
9
2
11
31.
Tea bowl
porcelain
4-5H
Dehua
4
1
5
32.
Brown-glazed spout jar
stoneware
25H
S.China
24
10
34
33.
Ring-handled spout jar
stoneware
25H
S.China
1
0
1
34.
Shanghai jar
stoneware
75H
Suzhou
9
0
9
35.
Green-glazed storage jar
stoneware
75H
Suzhou
5
1
6
36.
Large beaker
stoneware
47H
S.China
60
30
90
37.
Gunpowder urn
stoneware
35 H
?
2
0
2
38.
Spring dish
porcelain
24.5 D
Jingdezhen
5
2
7
39.
Mineral water bottle
stoneware
29 H
German
1
0
1
  Miscellaneous
pottery
 
various
18
1
19
       
total:
63,341
6,385
69,726

  1. German bottle date from Essequibo, Guyana: http://www.cosbert.com/view stoneware cpc142 p1.html

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Last modified:
19 July 2003