Round Lidded Song Dynasty Cover Box

Pictures below show the round lidded Song Dynasty cover box which I purchased in Sabah years back.It is believed to be found in Kudat Song shipwreck, the wreck was said to be discovered by fisherman on 15th April 2003.

The large number of Fujian ceramics found in the Kudat wreck is testament of the importance of Quanzhou as the main port where goods were assembled and exported through the maritime trade route. Quanzhou replaced Guangzhou as the most important port during the Southern Song period. It maintained its prominent role during the Yuan period. Fujian coastal region just like Guangdong during the Tang or Northern Song period, capitalised on its strategic location and built kilns to produce ceramics which copied the famous kiln such as celadon from Longquan, Qingbai from Jingdezhen and Temmoku bowls from Jian kiln. Such products targeted mainly the consumers from Southeast Asia region. However, some quantity also made their way along the maritime trade route to places as far as India, middle East and East Africa.

Height : 6.5cm, Diameter : 11.5cm.

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A Pair Of Wedding Bed Hangings Set With Beads

This pair of hanging ornaments was made to adorn the bridal chamber and most particularly the bridal bed. Such sets were made in and around Palembang in South Sumatra.

Palembang is one of the oldest cities in Indonesia. It was the old capital of Srivijaya, a powerful Malay kingdom, which influenced much of Southeast Asia. It has long had contact with China. The first record of its existence was that of a Chinese monk Yijing, who described his visit there in the seventh century. It developed into a cosmopolitan port city and so the local culture evolved as a syncretic blend of Malay, Arab, Minangkabau, Bugis, Javanese and Chinese influences. The local Chinese became particularly integrated and localised. Conversely, the local Malays acquired many Chinese influences.

The hangings here amply demonstrate that with the Chinese forms and themes. Indeed, they might have been used either by the indigenous people or the localised (Peranakan) Chinese.

Length : 86cm.

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