Description: Antique 1750's "Nanking Cargo" Chinese Export Invalid Cup A rare form and a remarkable story adds to the interest of this Chinese export porcelain "Feeder" Cup, beautifully decorated in under-glaze blue with a scene of mountains, trees, rocks, a house, and a figure standing by the sea. A smaller pagoda motif decorates the space between the spout and the handle, and a finely latticed border circles the upper rim. The cup measures 6" across the rim, excluding the spout, by 3-1/8" high, with the handle positioned 90 degrees to the right of the spout. I have scene this form described as a pitcher or sauce boat, but it is neither.Made to feed broth to the sick or infirm, hence the term invalid or feeder cup, this piece was in the cargo of "The Geldermalsen", an 18th Century merchant vessel belonging to the Dutch East India Company. The ship set sail from Canton, China with a load of porcelain, silk, tea and gold ingots in December of 1751, but sank 16 days later in the South China Seas during a storm. And there it rested for 233 years. The wreck and its contents were finally salvaged in 1985-6 by Captain Michael Hatcher and his team, and its contents were sold by Christie's Amsterdam in an historic world-wide auction famously referred to as "The Nanking Cargo" auction. This exceptionally rare piece has its original Christies' printed paper label over-stamped with the catalog lot number (4119). With the exception of a small rim chip and a glaze skip or two (see photo details), the cup is in extremely fine antique condition, given its resting place for 2-1/3 centuries at the bottom of the South China Sea! Please view all photos for condition detailsand message me with any questions. Thank you! NOTE: Due to its rarity and fragility, there will be no returns on this item. *****Send me a message if you have questions about this item, or about other accepted payment methods! Please read the following before bidding - thank you! Feedback: I greatly value both my customers and my 100% Feedback Rating for over 26 years. I work hard every day to provide accurate listings, multiple photographs, careful packing, fair shipping and fast and friendly communication. I leave feedback promptly upon payment and ask that buyers return the courtesy upon receipt of your item so I can be assured it has arrived and you are happy! I strive to ALWAYS earn 5 stars in every feedback category, So please contact me first if you have any concerns, and I will do my best to make it right.
Price: 750 USD
Location: West Hartford, Connecticut
End Time: 2024-12-02T17:57:08.000Z
Shipping Cost: N/A USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
Primary Material: Porcelain & Pottery
Item: Invalid Feeder Cup
Color: Blue and White
Original/Reproduction: Antique Original
Period: Qianlong, c.1751
Region of Origin: China
Age: Pre-1800
