Chinese Blue & White Tek Sing Plate from 1822 Shipwreck
A finely painted blue and white dish, from the Tek Sing shipwreck.
Date: Circa 18th-19th century AD
Provenance: From the Tek Sing shipwreck, sunk in 1822 and recovered in 1999.
Condition: Good, with some pottery deposits under the glaze. No chips or cracks.
Size: 18.5cm Diameter x 4cm H
Numbered 5732
Provenance:
A Tale of Tragedy and Discovery
The Tek Sing shipwreck, a historic event from 1822, unfolded in the vast expanse of the South China Sea. Laden with precious ceramics and other valuable cargo, the Chinese junk Tek Sing met a tragic fate beneath the waves. Discovered in 1999, this shipwreck has since revealed a treasure trove of archaeological wonders, shedding light on maritime history and trade in the region.
Ceramics finds
Captain Hatcher's crew discovered the wreck on 12 May 1999. Among the salvaged cargo were more than 350,000 pieces of Chinese porcelain, most of them in good condition. Many pieces are simple plates, soup bowls, cups, and condiment dishes meant for everyday use. Other items recovered were mercury, sextants, pocket watches, Chinese ink pads, iron and brass cannon, one bronze cannon, boxes with needles, pocketknives, Chinese brass padlocks, candlesticks, incense burners, telescope parts, coins.
