Historical Context & Origin
Region: China, Recovered in the Philippines (Shipwreck Context)
Material: Stoneware with Partial Brown Glaze
Period: Ming Dynasty, 15th–16th Century CE
Description
This pair of Ming dynasty stoneware jarlets, recovered from a Philippine shipwreck, reflects the maritime trade networks that connected China with Southeast Asia. Each vessel is crafted in a discoid form with short necks and flared rims, displaying the practical and utilitarian style characteristic of Ming-period stoneware. Their exteriors retain barnacle and mussel accretions from centuries beneath the sea, forming a natural patina that reinforces their authenticity and maritime provenance. One jarlet retains a label from the National Museum of the Philippines, further supporting its documented recovery and historical context.
Features
- Discoid form with short necks and flared rims
- Partial brown glaze typical of Ming utilitarian stoneware
- Barnacle and mussel accretions from shipwreck recovery
- One jarlet bearing a National Museum of the Philippines label
Cultural Significance
Ming dynasty ceramics were widely traded across the maritime Silk Road and formed a major component of commercial exchange between China and Southeast Asia. Stoneware vessels such as these were transported aboard merchant ships and distributed throughout regional trading ports. Their survival as shipwreck artifacts offers tangible evidence of the extensive maritime networks that shaped economic and cultural interactions across the South China Sea during the 15th and 16th centuries.
Condition
Both jarlets are well preserved with intact forms and visible marine accretions resulting from long submersion. The natural encrustations and patina contribute to their character as authentic maritime relics.
Dimensions (Approximate)
Height: 5 in
Width: 3 in
Age (Approximate)
425–625 years old
Learn More
Study the History of Sawankhalok and Southeast Asian Trade Ceramics
Explore Our Collection of Shipwreck Artifacts
