Song Dynasty | Chinese Terracotta Wine Pot | Shipwrecked Artifact | Balabac Island | Circa 960–1279 CE

Historical Context & Origin

Region: China, discovered near Balabac Island, Philippines
Material: Terracotta with marine encrustations
Period: Song Dynasty (960–1279 CE)

Description
This rare terracotta wine pot, recovered from waters near Balabac Island in the Philippines, dates back to the Song Dynasty. Likely part of a shipwreck cargo, this vessel offers a tangible connection to the extensive maritime trade networks linking China and Southeast Asia over a thousand years ago. The pot features a wide mouth for easy filling, a rounded body for stability, and a slender spout for controlled pouring. Its surface is richly encrusted with marine deposits, evidence of centuries-long submersion, enhancing its authenticity and historical resonance.

Features

- Wide mouth and rounded body for functional stability

- Slender spout for controlled pouring

- Heavy marine encrustations from centuries underwater

- Classic Song Dynasty utilitarian form reflecting daily life and trade

- Shipwreck provenance from the Philippine maritime routes

Cultural Significance
During the Song Dynasty, Chinese ceramics were highly sought-after across Asia, the Middle East, and beyond. Maritime trade thrived, with vessels carrying pottery, silk, and other luxury goods along established routes. Balabac Island served as a critical waypoint, and artifacts like this wine pot illuminate the far-reaching influence of Chinese craftsmanship and the cultural and economic interconnections of the period.

Condition
Excavated with extensive marine calcification and encrustations. Form is stable, demonstrating long-term underwater preservation and authentic shipwreck provenance.

Dimensions (approximate)
Height: 7.6 in

Age
Song Dynasty, circa 960–1279 CE