SMALL POT OR "JARLET" FROM THE HOI AN SHIPWRECK OFF THE VIETNAME COAST

I only learned about the Hoi An Vietnam shipwreck just a few years ago. I found the story of this and the Tek Sing shipwreck very interesting and with enough information known to do research on them. And the photos of this little "jarlet" except for the first one were shot through their plastic bags that have a sticker from the Vietnam government attesting to their authenticity.

I want to leave it up to the customer to decide if they want to remove the item from the bag with the sticker. One certainly can display it moer easily--and better--if it is removed. But there is much to be said aout keeping it sealed with the sticker present.

Being a historian (American history!) doesn't preclude me from being interested in such things as antiquities and early shipwrecks. in just the last couple of years I have acquired some rare pots and salvage coins. I do not claim to have any archaelogical expertise other than what I have acquired by studying research materials.

The wreck of the Hoi An in the late 15th or early 16th century is particularly fascinating. When pots began showing up in fishermen's nets, research began in the 1990s. The strewn field was a mile long and estimates placed the number of pots and other ceramics at more than 150,000 pieces. Large pots were found on the deck of the ship filled with other items including small pots such as this one.

The Vietnam government interjected itself immediately when the ship was found and one criteria established immediately was that the state museum would receive examples of EVERY type of pottery found. It meant that the museum would receivesome of say 10,000 pieces that were identical and with nearly identical painted surfaces...and also 5 of a rare type/design for which only those 5 specimens were found.

The Vietnamese government worked with salvage crews and those selling Hoi An artifacts to ensure that the authenticating sticker was provided for the benefit of buyers.

I purchased and sold several of what have been designated as "jarlets" which are less than 2 inches in height. As many of you with whom I have done business over the years are aware that I try to provide important and interesting information on whatever I'm selling and not limited to shipwreck historical finds.

I will be selling both bowls and larger pots/vases. As you would imagine, these items can vary dramatically in design, condition and rarity among the cargo.

If you have interest in additional items from the Hoi An shipwreck or that of the Tek Sing China Sea shipwreck please contact me and I would be happy to share more history and to let you what items I have available. We held a shipwreck sale a year ago and have just a few items from that sale still available. It was a really satisfying and successful sale for our first foray into a sale such as this. We have sold antiquarian coins and other items prior to the sale, but this was the first time we hosted a sale devoted totally to shipwreck and found items.

We will attempt to maintain examples of shipwrecks and dug artifacts in our inventory on a regular basis. The history is fascinating and as with most everything we sell, our goal is to offer prices lower than any othe rsellers.

SPECIAL SALE PRICE!