Nanking Cargo Blue and White Butter Dish

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A Chinese export underglaze blue and white porcelain oval butter dish and cover, Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), circa 1750, Nanking Cargo, decorated to the exterior and lid with pagodas, rocks and sprays of blossom, with a decorated handle, the official Nanking cargo seal ascribed by Christie's Amsterdam attached to the base, 11.5 cm length. Provenance: Purchased from Christie's, Amsterdam, Nanking Cargo Auction, 1 May, 1986, Lot 4521 (part of). Other Notes: This butter dish was part of the famous Nanking Cargo, that had been intended for export to Holland from Canton in 1752 aboard the Dutch East India Ship, the Geldermalsen. This butter dish is one of more than 150,000 pieces that survived for 235 years at the bottom of the south china sea, discovered off the island of Singapore, well protected having been neatly packed within crates of tea., for an almost identical example, please see the butter dish in the British Museum collection, London, Museum number: 1986,0701.18. a

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Circa - A Latin term meaning 'about', often used in the antique trade to give an approximate date for the piece, usually considered to be five years on either side of the circa year. Thus, circa 1900 means the piece was made about 1900, probably between 1895 and 1905. The expression is sometimes abbreviated to c.1900.
Ming Dynasty - The Ming Dynasty was a ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644. It succeeded the Yuan Dynasty and preceded the Qing Dynasty. The Ming Dynasty was established by Zhu Yuanzhang, a former Buddhist monk who became a rebel leader and eventually overthrew the Mongol Yuan Dynasty. During the Ming Dynasty, China experienced a period of relative stability and prosperity. The government was centralized and bureaucratic, with the emperor at the top of the hierarchy. The Ming Dynasty is known for its cultural achievements, including the development of porcelain, the invention of movable type printing, and the construction of the Great Wall of China.
Qing Dynasty - The Qing Dynasty was the last imperial dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912. It was established by the Manchu people, who originated from the northeastern region of China. The Qing Dynasty was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China.

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