Sherd Physical Object

Accession Number
1986.008.0812e
Category
Creation Date
circa 1620
Materials
Description
Plate sherd. One of five pieces. See also 1986.008.0812a--d.
Dimensions

3.0 x 2.3 x 0.9 cm Weight: 4.76 grams.

Exhibition Label
Case Caption (2023): N/A
Object Caption (2023):

Tableware Fragments
Porcelain (China, Ming Dynasty, c.1600)
Gift of Jamestown Inc.
1986.008.0812a-e, 1986.0008.0897

The secret of making porcelain was closely guarded by the Chinese. Europeans could not produce it, and imports were so prized that the king of Spain created a collection of the finest pieces. It would have been carried on the Manila galleons that traded in the Pacific before being loaded aboard the Santa Margarita.