Porcelain Plates

They were imported mainly from China during the dhow trade. Small porcelain cups were also coveted, usually shipped inside giant water jars, many of which still survive along the Kenyan coast. The plates were exhibited by wealthy Swahili families and were also set in the floor of cisterns inside the Swahili bathrooms. Millions of porcelin shards from sunken ships are commonly found along the coast of East African's Zanzibar.