TANG DYNASTY 618 – 907 Changsha Ware

Belitung shipwreck :
The Belitung shipwreck (also known as the Tang or Batu Hitam Shipwreck). Another bowl from the Belitung shipwreck is inscribed with a date equivalent to 826, a carbon 14 analysis of the wreck also confirms a Tang date (618 – 907).
The Belitung shipwreck was found by fishermen off the Indonesian Island of Belitung in 1998. The German group, Seabed Explorations, purchased the location from the fishermen and began excavation under license in the latter part of the same year. It seems that the Belitung shipwreck is the only example of an ancient Arab ship ever found. The extensive hull remains were stitched together. Its location in Indonesian waters, and its cargo of Chinese ceramics, provide archaeological evidence for direct trade between the Western Indian Ocean and China in the first millennium, although this is subject to some speculation.

Sancai Pottery :
Sancai (three colours) is a term used to describe low fired polychrome glazes consisting of three or sometimes four colours. These were predominately green, brown, yellow and cream. Typical Sancai pottery includes lead fluxed Tang wares.

Condition
There is a minute rim chip c.2 x 3 mm. The surface is extremely 'dry' due the salinity of the sea water. The surface is crackled and the edge is worn and small fragments of the surface are missing. The surface appears stable.
Size
14 cm (5 1/2 inches)
Provenance
N/A
Stock number
24159
References
For a group of Changsha bowls of this type see : Shipwrecked, Tang Treasures and Monsoon Winds (Edited by Regina Krahl, John Guy, J. Keith Wilson and Julian Raby. Smithsonian Institution 2010. ISBN 978-0-934686-18-1) page 238.

Photos

Information

A Rare Tang Changsha Bowl, Hunan Province, Early 9th Century. From a Shipwreck, Probably from the Belitung Wreck.

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