Shipwrecks with Ceramics cargo found in Southeast Asia

To view details of a wreck, click on the photo of the vessel

Early Chinese Trade and Maritime History

The earliest records of Chinese contact with Southeast Asia date back to the Han Dynasty. Chinese porcelains—renowned for their durability—serve as evidence of a long history of trade and cultural exchange. These porcelains were traded for spices, aromatics, kingfisher feathers, rhinoceros horns, pearls, and other exotic goods. In Southeast Asia, Chinese ceramics were highly valued, often kept as family heirlooms and used as funerary objects. Many such items have been excavated and are now housed in museums and private collections.

Maritime trade was a lucrative endeavor, but it also carried great risks. Merchants and sailors faced storms, fires, piracy, and dangerous reefs—many perishing at sea. Over more than two millennia, the South China Sea has become a vast graveyard for countless shipwrecks.

The Role of Legal and Illegal Salvage Operations

The high commercial value of ancient ceramics has driven both legal and illegal salvage operations. One of the most famous recoveries was the Nanking (Geldermasen) cargo, which was auctioned with remarkable success at Christie's in Amsterdam in 1986, sparking global interest in shipwreck ceramics. Since then, ceramics from wrecks such as the Ming-period Binh Thuan and Hatcher wrecks, and the Qing-period Ca Mau, Vung Tau, Diana, and Tek Sing wrecks have also been successfully auctioned by major international houses.

While concerns remain about improper excavation methods, these discoveries have provided valuable insights into ancient trade ceramics.

Jingdezhen ceramics in Nanking Cargo

Discoveries of Tang Dynasty Shipwrecks

The most significant discovery from this period is the 9th-century Belitung wreck, found near the Bangka-Belitung Islands off Sumatra in 1998. German treasure hunter Tilman Walterfang recovered over 60,000 artifacts, including Changsha wares, Xing white wares, Yue/Guangdong green wares, three rare blue-and-white pieces, gold vessels, coins, and glassware. In 2005, the collection was sold to the Singapore government for US$32 million.

In 2013, another late 9th-century Tang wreck was discovered at Binh Chau (Chau Tan) in Quang Ngai Province, central Vietnam. Its cargo resembled that of the Belitung wreck, featuring Changsha polychrome painted wares, Xing white wares, and Yue/Guangdong green wares. Excavations suggest the vessel was a Southeast Asian ship, highlighting the involvement of Arab and Persian merchants in maritime trade.

In 2019, an early 9th-century Tang wreck was found near Ba Ria, southern Vietnam. Its cargo bore similarities to that of the Belitung wreck, though white wares predominated. This wreck is notable for its lead green and amber-glazed dishes and cups with Islamic-influenced designs.

Group of lead green/amber glaze cups/dishes from the Ba Ria wreck

Discoveries of Five Dynasties Shipwrecks

Two major shipwrecks from this period include:

• The Cirebon wreck, which carried late Five Dynasties Yue wares.
• The Intan wreck, which contained a similar ceramic mix.
  By this time, Hunan Changsha wares were no longer exported.

Discoveries of Song Dynasty Shipwrecks

Several key shipwrecks provide insights into this era:

• The Pulau Buaya wreck (late Northern Song, early 12th century) contained Guangdong ceramics with a small quantity of Jingdezhen Qingbai wares.
• A wreck near Lingga revealed diverse Guangdong ceramics, including a distinctive iron-painted floral decoration from the Northern Song Xicun kiln.
• During the Southern Song, Fujian ceramics dominated maritime trade, as evidenced by wrecks such as Huaguang Jiao 1, Java, Jepara, Kudat, Breaker Shoal, and Nanhai No. 1.
• The Nanhai No. 1 wreck, housed in the Guangdong Maritime Silk Road Museum, offers well-preserved examples of Jingdezhen Qingbai, Longquan celadon, and Fujian celadon wares.

By the Song period, advancements in shipbuilding and navigation allowed China to control much of the maritime trade, with Chinese junks frequently seen in Southeast Asian ports.

Discoveries of Yuan Dynasty Shipwrecks

The most well-known Yuan Dynasty wreck is the 14th-century Sinan wreck, found in the Sea of Korea. Its cargo, bound for Japan, contained Longquan celadon and Jingdezhen Qingbai/Shufu wares.

In 2014, the Binh Chau wreck was discovered in Quang Ngai, Vietnam, with a cargo consisting of Longquan celadon, Jingdezhen Qingbai/Shufu, Fujian Qingbai/brown glaze wares, and blue-and-white wares.

Ming Dynasty Trade Ban and the Rise of Thai and Vietnamese Ceramics

During the Ming Dynasty, the Hongwu Emperor imposed a ban on foreign trade, leading to a shortage of Chinese ceramics in Southeast Asia. Thai and Vietnamese potters stepped in, producing export wares from the late 14th to 15th centuries.

• Thai celadon from Sisatchanalai (Sawankhalok) became a key export item, reaching peak production by the mid-15th century.
• Vietnamese blue-and-white wares emerged as important exports around 1460–1470 A.D., with the Hoi An cargo offering a comprehensive collection of these ceramics.

The Re-emergence of Chinese Ceramics Dominance

During the Wanli (1573–1620) and Tianqi (1621–1627) periods, Kraak porcelain emerged as a prominent export to European markets. The San Diego wreck yielded primarily Wanli-era Kraak ware, while Ming Tianqi Kraak porcelains were salvaged from the Wanli-period wreck near Kuantan, Malaysia. Kraak porcelain’s enduring prominence is further underscored by its presence in the Chongzhen-period (1628–1644) Hatcher wreck.  

Jingdezhen ceramics in Hatcher Cargo

Discoveries of Qing Dynasty Shipwrecks

Qing Dynasty shipwrecks provide a detailed record of export porcelains:

• Vung Dau wreck (c. 1680s)
• Bintan wreck (1710s)
• Ca Mau wreck (1720s)
• Nanking (Geldermasen) wreck (1752)
• Diana cargo (1817)
• Tek Sing cargo (1821)

With the exception of Tek Sing, which contained an enormous quantity of Dehua blue-and-white ware, these wrecks carried Jingdezhen-made porcelain tailored for export to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

Future Discoveries and Research

With at least 463 shipwrecks scattered across Indonesian waters and promising sites in central and southern Vietnam, future discoveries will undoubtedly enrich our understanding of ancient trade ceramics in Southeast Asia.

Chronology and Significance of the Shipwrecks

Below is a summary table listing key shipwrecks, their locations, dates, the types of ceramics recovered, and their significance.

Written by: NK Koh (18 Dec 2010), updated (12 Jan 2016), 2 Sep 2021,  7 Feb 2025