Sheaf, Colin & Kilburn, Richard, The Hatcher Porcelain Cargoes. The Complete Record.
Overview and general presentation of the two first of Michael Hatchers porcelain cargoes, the Ming junk cargo (c. 1643-1646) from a seventeenth century Chinese junk, and the Dutch East Indiaman Geldermalsen that foundered in 1752.
I think this is a good reference for the Hatcher cargoes, in particular the 1640’s junk. This book and the actual auction catalogs covers it very well. I would not call this book indispensable but the color pictures of the 1640s junk cargo are good and considering the precise dating of the pieces this is a valuable reference.
192 pages
212 illustrations of which 138 in color
Phaidon/Christies, 1988.
ISBN. 0 7148 8046 9
For those who from the published research on the recent “Wanli” shipwreck have become interested in the ins and outs of practical Maritime Archaeology, I would like to suggest A Technical Handbook, by Jeremy Green. With its 470 pages it is a pretty solid publication as well as a useful reference on what we really should ask from the sometimes meager reports published on recent shipwrecks and their in many cases valuable cargo. When a ship is excavated and its cargo sold the historical remnants is lost forever and what we got left are the finds, scattered to the winds maybe through some auctions, and the reports. This is a tricky balance act regarding what we should leave to coming generations and what we have a right and maybe a need to figure out for ourselves right now. Good archaeological practices are a prerequisite and the more who are in on the discussion, the better.
Jeremy Green’s systematic overview of maritime archaeology offers a step-by-step description of this fast-growing field. With new information about the use of computers and Global Positioning Systems, the second edition of this handbook shows how to extract as much information as possible from a site, how to record and document the data, and how to act ethically and responsibly with the artefacts. Treating underwater archaeology as a discipline, the book demonstrates how archaeologists, ‘looters,’ academics, and governments interact and how the market for archaeological artefacts creates obstacles and opportunities for these groups. Well illustrated and comprehensive in its approach to the subject, this book provides an essential foundation for everybody interested in underwater environments, submerged land structures, and conditions created by sea level changes.This book covers five broad areas: searching for sites, recording sites, excavation, management of collections, and study, research and publication. It describes a variety of techniques and procedures in considerable detail, accessible to both professional and amateur archaeologists.
It contains more than 250 photographs, charts, and diagrams that explain everything from how to operate a sextant and a hand-held GPS to how a swim line should be laid out by the dive team before excavation begins
Hardcover: 470 pages
Publisher: Academic Press; 2 edition (17 Jun 2004)
Language English
ISBN-10: 0122986326
ISBN-13: 978-0122986321
Product Dimensions: 22.9 x 15.5 x 2.8 cm
This book is a highly readable presentation of Sten Sjöstrands latest maritime excavation adventure. It details the finding and recovery of a cargo of Chinese Wanli style “kraak” porcelain. The book sets a new world standard on how to report on martime salvage operations. To us who are long time members of the Gotheborg Discussion Board, it is especially comforting to among the acknowledgements find that our Tim Hartill has provided the bulk of the ceramic related research that this book references. Since this is a collected shipwreck where all pieces dates to more or less the same period it gives important information on which shapes and decoration that actually was made at the same time. And on this point it seems that the porelain history needs to be rewritten in some no small matters. This is no doubt one of the best books ever written about kraak porcelain and will become an important standard reference.
“The maritime archaeology of Sten Sjöstrand has led to major advances in the study of Asian trade and trade ceramics in Southeast Asia. His meticulous documentation of a series of nine shipwrecks from the 11th to 19th centuries reveals the early dominance of Chinese trade ceramics, a subsequent loss of the Chinese monopoly in the late 14th century when Southeast Asian ceramics entered the market, the basic parameters of the Ming gap shortages of the 14th-15th centuries, and a resurgence of Chinese wares in the 16th and 17th centuries. A lifetime’s experience with the sea and sailing allows Sjöstrand to bring new understanding to ancient ship construction, and his voluminous reading allows him to set the ships and their cargoes in historical perspective. This publication delivers the sort of precise data that will stand the test of time and be mined by future scholars for studies to come on Asian history. The thoroughness displayed in this catalogue is a testament to his passion and devotion to mapping ancient maritime trade and trade goods during more than two decades of dedicated work”.
Dr. Roxanna M. Brown
Director of the Southeast Asian Ceramics Museum, Bangkok University
We are also looking forward to a more full review to be published in the upcoming number of Arts of Asia.
JE
27 X 27 cm, 360 pages. More than 650 color photographs, sketches, tables and maps. High quality (150 gm) paper . Total weight 2.5 kilo
Lost at Sea: The Strange Route of the Lena Shoal Junk, by Franck Goddio, Monique Crick, Peter Lam, Stacey Pierson and Rosemary Scott
Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: Periplus Publishing London (December 2002)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1902699351
ISBN-13: 978-1902699356
Product Dimensions: 13.8 x 9.5 x 1 inches
Shipping Weight: 4.4 pounds
Porcelain from the Vung Tau Wreck: The Hallstrom Excavation
In the 1690s, a Chinese junk bound for Batavia and laden with ceramics for export to Europe, caught fire and foundered off Vung Tau, Vietnam. In the 1990s – and with the sanction of the Vietnamese government — a Vietnamese/Swedish team explored the wreck. A vast amount of mainly blue-and-white porcelain was found, and much of it was finally auctioned in Amsterdam, the cargo’s original destination. This illustrated expert study describes the 17th century export trade of China-Batavia-Holland and details the artefacts found. In part 2 the ship itself is presented and the methods and course of the excavation are set out. With drawings and photographs, biblography and index.
This book is divided into two sections: the art historical study of the ceramic hoard and it place in the history of European trade with Asia and China and the excavation process. It also presents data and commentary on the systematic underwater fieldwork, documentation and the raising of the cargo.
Format: Hardcover, 172 pages
Published: 2001, Singapore
ISBN: 981045208X
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