Rare 15th c. blue and white jarlet with handles - Hoi An Hoard

Dating from the 15th century, a rare blue and white jarlet with handles from the Hoi An Hoard (shipwreck cargo).  The jarlet, now with a chalky glaze from 500 years under the sea, is ornamented with ghostly floral and scrolling motifs.  Unusually, the jarlet retains three original intact handles.  The underside retains traces of the label of provenance.  Origin: Vietnam.  Circa 1450-1500.

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.