15th c. small blue and white dish - Hoi An Hoard

Dating from the 15th century, a small blue and white dish from the Hoi An Hoard (shipwreck cargo) ornamented with floral and geometric motifs. The underside retains the label of provenance.  Origin: Vietnam.  Circa 1450-1500.

Condition: There is a small 1.5cm firing crack to the rim (which almost certainly happened in the kiln).

During the 15th century, off the Hoi An coast of Vietnam in the South China Sea, a trading vessel filled with ceramics vanished without a trace.  It was re-discovered by fishermen in the 1990s.  All pieces unique to the cargo were retained by Vietnamese museums for display.  The rest was sold at auction.