Rare 15th century Hoi An Hoard Parrot and Peach Figural Brush Washer
Rare 15th century Hoi An Hoard Parrot and Peach Figural Brush Washer
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$2,600.00 AUD
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$2,600.00 AUD
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From a 15th century ship that sank off the coast of Vietnam, the recovery effort of the Hoi An hoard was one of the greatest underwater archaeological discoveries of all time.
One notable London dealer described ceramics from the Hoi An Hoard as "the most precious and complete representation of Vietnamese artisanship in glazed ceramics" and far more rare than their Chinese counterparts from Tek Sing.
The shipwreck was located in the middle of a typhoon zone known as the Dragon Sea. Recovering artifacts from the hoard required a team of divers to live in special pressurised chambers for weeks; the shipwreck was located at a depth of 70 metres which meant that this was the only way to avoid instant depressurisation and death.
This operation involved 120 men, including archaeologists, photographers, artists and technical crew.
After desalination, the artifacts were sorted and tagged. They were then transferred to a warehouse outside Da Nang, where a workforce of over sixty continued cleaning, photographing, drawing and recording, preparing the porcelain for its final destination -- the outside world.
At 65,000 US dollars a day, the final cost of this entire expedition was four million USD. That said, the historical value of this hoard was immeasurable; museums around the world have pieces in their collections, with the lion’s share being in the National History Museum of Han Oi.
This particular piece is a parrot and peach figural brush washer from the Hoi An hoard. A very rare shape; only a few were found during the VISAL expedition, in particular this one with an elongated neck and unusual glaze is a style which we couldn’t find online.
One of the rarest pieces we have seen, much less in person. Truly an amazing find.
Price is marked at AUD$2600.
Measurements: Washer dia. 6cm, approx 9 by 9 cm total measurements, 4.7 cm height.
Good antique condition considering that it was underwater for 5 centuries; there is crazing and some spots of wear to glaze as pictured.
One notable London dealer described ceramics from the Hoi An Hoard as "the most precious and complete representation of Vietnamese artisanship in glazed ceramics" and far more rare than their Chinese counterparts from Tek Sing.
The shipwreck was located in the middle of a typhoon zone known as the Dragon Sea. Recovering artifacts from the hoard required a team of divers to live in special pressurised chambers for weeks; the shipwreck was located at a depth of 70 metres which meant that this was the only way to avoid instant depressurisation and death.
This operation involved 120 men, including archaeologists, photographers, artists and technical crew.
After desalination, the artifacts were sorted and tagged. They were then transferred to a warehouse outside Da Nang, where a workforce of over sixty continued cleaning, photographing, drawing and recording, preparing the porcelain for its final destination -- the outside world.
At 65,000 US dollars a day, the final cost of this entire expedition was four million USD. That said, the historical value of this hoard was immeasurable; museums around the world have pieces in their collections, with the lion’s share being in the National History Museum of Han Oi.
This particular piece is a parrot and peach figural brush washer from the Hoi An hoard. A very rare shape; only a few were found during the VISAL expedition, in particular this one with an elongated neck and unusual glaze is a style which we couldn’t find online.
One of the rarest pieces we have seen, much less in person. Truly an amazing find.
Price is marked at AUD$2600.
Measurements: Washer dia. 6cm, approx 9 by 9 cm total measurements, 4.7 cm height.
Good antique condition considering that it was underwater for 5 centuries; there is crazing and some spots of wear to glaze as pictured.