Nanking Cargo cup and saucer

These cup and saucer have matching decoration, both with palm trees and a large flower. The outside of the cup is made from capuchin (or Batavia ware). This cup was intended for drinking tea. During the 17th century, the VOC played a pivotal role in popularizing tea in Europe by importing from Asia. Tea initially arrived in Europe via Portugal in the early 1600s but gained popularity in the Netherlands and other European countries later in the century. The Dutch introduced the custom of having tea in elegant and elaborate social settings. Tea sets and accessories became highly sought after, and the Dutch elite invested in fine porcelain teapots, cups, and saucers. Over time, tea drinking spread across different social classes in the Netherlands and Europe, becoming more accessible to a broader population. It evolved into an established part of daily life, with various customs and rituals associated with its consumption.
Originating from the Nanking Cargo, these pieces have a storied past. In 1752, the Dutch VOC Ship 'The Geldermalsen' met its fate in the South Chinese Sea en route from Canton (modern-day Guangzhou) to Batavia (Jakarta, Indonesia), sinking close to Nanking. Among the cargo lost were an array of ceramics such as plates, bowls, dishes, cups, saucers, vases, teapots, and personal belongings of the crew. In 1985, Michael Hatcher's expedition uncovered the sunken ship and its precious cargo. Remarkably, the porcelain retained its condition despite resting on the ocean floor for over two centuries. This preservation was due to the substantial amount of tea in the cargo that buried the porcelain serving as a protective layer against the corrosive effects of the seawater. In 1985 the porcelain and other treasuries of the Nanking cargo were auctioned at Christie’s, Amsterdam.

Condition: Mint
Provenance: Christie’s Amsterdam 28th of April 1986, ‘The Nanking Cargo Chinese export porcelain and gold and European glass and stoneware’, lot 5246.

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The trade between the Dutch East India Company and China

By C.C. (Camille) Verkoulen

In the early 17th century, the Dutch East India Company (VOC) sent envoys to Canton to explore trade opportunities. At that time, the Dutch already had set in Batavia (Jakarta) and Formosa (Taiwan). Initially, the Chinese authorities in Beijing had a negative response to the arrival of the Dutch, known for their warlike nature. However, merchants in Canton showed interest. Still, the VOC faced severe rules upon arriving in Canton, emphasizing the Chinese desire for minimal interference from foreigners, though trade relations proved lucrative. The Co Hong, a group of Chinese merchants, mediated interactions between the VOC and Chinese authorities, managing trade while enabling the bureaucrats to maintain control over taxes. The VOC's journey to China commenced from Batavia (where they set there headquarter) in July or August, navigating through various islands and reaching Canton via Macao after a month. Upon arrival, meticulous rituals, including drinking wine (the Chinese love sweet wine from The Cape, which the VOC ship passed on its way to Batavia), presenting gifts, and measuring the ship for import duties, were performed to obtain permission to trade. For the Geldermalsen, the charges for the ship measuring were 45,613 guilders. After these charges were paid, the Chinese officials give permission for trade. However, the crew remained in Whampoa while merchants engaged in trade. At Whampoa, the ship was set at anchor. This was the closest place to Canton that the ship still could reach. The river up to Canton became too narrow there and the VOC merchants continued by sloop. 
During the 17th century, the Dutch East India Company (VOC) engaged in sporadic trade in Canton, primarily focusing on purchasing silk and porcelain. However, significant changes occurred in the 18th century when tea became increasingly popular in Europe. This newfound demand for tea prompted the VOC to establish a more regular presence in Canton. Despite strict control by the Chinese authorities through designated merchants and regulations, the profitability of the tea trade encouraged the Dutch and other Europeans to persist in trading in Canton. In 1729, the VOC was allowed to set a factory in Canton, resulting in the first direct access for trade in the mainland of China. The factory in Canton housed various personnel and functioned under the Principal and senior merchants' administration. This factory was located outside the city walls of Canton and should be rented by the Dutch (owning the place was not allowed). During quieter seasons, a reduced staff remained in the factory while others stayed in a rented house in Macao. Internal tensions often arose among the crew in Canton, leading to occasional punishments for misconduct, reflecting the VOC's accountability for Dutch behavior.
The Heren XVII, the VOC's governing body, had precise orders for ships returning from China, specifying the types of wares to be brought back. They aimed for low-profit margins on high-volume sales, making auctions of these wares very profitable. Tea trade was a significant focus, with stringent quality checks and categorization into black and green tea. Porcelain was also a sought-after commodity, evolving from luxury to widespread demand for items like plates, bowls, and tea sets. The VOC preferred items as plates and bowls to more exceptional pieces (such as Chine de Commande porcelain) due to the constant demand of more regular porcelain and its higher profit margin. Also, the staff of the VOC was allowed for ‘smuggling’, meaning that they could take their own wares for personal trade or as a souvenir. The quantity of the ‘smuggling’ ware was based on your rank, that determined the size of the personal chest on board.

Trade in 1751/1752, when The Geldermalsen was active, can be marked as an average season for the VOC with multiple vessels arriving from Batavia. After staying for 5 months in Canton, the ship left, intended to return to Batavia. The cargo worth of the Geldermalsen was more than 700,000 guilders, eventually ending up all on the bottom of the sea.

Source: C.J.A. Jörg, “The Geldermalsen history and porcelain”, 1986.