Spoon, leaf shaped ceramic, Vietnam, ca. 1725
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
ca. 1725
This small spoon was probably used by communities in South Asia for eating soup and rice porridge. It is one of a number of objects that was salvaged from the wreck of a trade ship thought to be a Chinese junk, dating to approximately 1725. This corresponds to the reign of the Kangxi emperor (1662-1722) of the Qing dynasty (1644-1911).
The wreck was discovered off the Southern coast of Vietnam in 1998 near Ca Mau and is now commonly referred to as the Ca Mau wreck. The ship was loaded with Chinese porcelain of various designs for export to South Asia and Europe. This object is one of a group of 182 pieces of porcelain acquired by the V&A from this wreck. Modelled as a leaf with delicately moulded veins and a knopped handle, painted with a green lead glaze.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
This object was salvaged from the wreck of a trade ship, probably a Chinese junk dating to approximately 1725. This date corresponds to the reign of the Yongzheng emperor (1723-1735) of the Qing dynasty (1644-1911). The wreck was discovered off the Southern coast of Vietnam in 1998 near Ca Mau. The wreck is now commonly referred to as the Ca Mau wreck.
By 1999 a total of 51,500 pieces had been recovered form the wreck. It was loaded with Chinese porcelain of various designs for export to South Asia and Europe. Historical significance: This object provides useful information about trade, trade routes, design and markets for Chinese ceramics.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- Ceramic, moulded, fired and painted with a green lead glaze
- Dimensions
- Length: 11 cm
Technical characteristics
- Place recorded
- Vietnam, Jingdezhen
Identification
- Source note
- Transcribed from the Victoria and Albert Museum, London collection record for this single object (sentences kept verbatim apart from removed sale or rarity wording); how far it represents a wider collectible type has not been independently verified.
- Candidate id
- vam-O172989
- Museum object name
- Spoon
- Holding institution
- Victoria and Albert Museum, London
- Museum object number
- FE.11-2007
- Museum system number
- O172989
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: confirm the wider type, maker and dating against a specialist reference; this entry documents one recorded example.