Song/Yuan Dynasty Shipwreck Jars
£230.00
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Description
2 Chinese Song/Yuan Dynasty 13th/14th Cent. Mercury Shipwreck Storage Jars
Region: China
Height: 18cm
Diameter: 11cm
These funnel-form hollow storage vessels were recovered from a shipwreck in the Java Sea near Kalimantan, Indonesia. Vessels like these were kept within storehouses and were also used to store rice wine.
Funnel-shaped earthenware from the late Song or earlyYuan periods were believed to have carried mercury, an element that had fascinated the Chinese since ancient times. For centuries, alchemists believed mercury was associated with immortality.
While the Silk Road had provided overland trade routes since ancient times, it was overtaken by a dramatic increase of maritime trade during the Song and Yuan dynasties – from the 10th to 14th centuries.
At that time, Quanzhou in Fujian Province was considered the largest port in the world.The government actively encouraged and supported foreign trade. Merchant ships would set sail east to Japan, south to the Java sea, all around India, theMiddle East, Africa and as far west as the Mediterranean.
These two unique Chinese mercury storage jar were immersed in the Java sea for centuries. They are in good condition, however the jars as shipwreck cargo show minor mollusc shell encrustations. Please view all of the photos…
