8 Masterworks from Cirebon Shipwreck

Connect to remarkable creativity, technique and design from 10th century

Bird shaped lid (0850/1000) by UnknownMarine Heritage Gallery Jakarta

1. Parrot in clay

This shipwreck seems to have saved an amazing work of art, the divers have uncovered various art objects. These include advanced plastic arts and pyrotechnics, whether done on shell, clay, glass, even metal.

This parrot figure is made from clay, combining molding, appliqué and remarkable fine carving techniques.

Realistic shaped turtle (0850/1000) by UnknownMarine Heritage Gallery Jakarta

2. Realistic turtle

Animal figures are made of fine paste clay, perfectly proportioned in terms of body shell, legs and head. His mouth is open, it looks impressively natural.

Kneeling deer (0850/1000) by UnknownMarine Heritage Gallery Jakarta

3. Kneeling deer

Ceramic cover box  in the shape of a kneeling deer. His neck and head  turned back sniffed his body. The legs are the bottom of the cover box, the upper half of body, neck, and head are the lid of this tiny cover box.

The manipulation of clay is not only able to create a beautiful and dynamic sculptural appearance. More than that, the artist is skilled at balancing  between beauty and practical use. The folded neck of the deer functions as a handle for the box cover.

Matsya (Fish) (0850/1000) by UnknownMarine Heritage Gallery Jakarta

4. Matsya

A sanskrit word for fish, a beautiful, attractive figure. Made from baked clay molds, the fish's face is formed with its mouth open. Complicated carving and appliqué techniques adorn the body to the tail.

Matsya, one of the 10 avatars (incarnations) of the Hindu god Vishnu. Matsya is believed to be a saviour in the great flood legend.

Carved shell (907/960) by UnknownMarine Heritage Gallery Jakarta

5. Conch shell craft

A beautifully carved shell, perforated carving technique in the species Neptunea lyrata. The conch shell is a symbol of the proclamation of the Buddha's teachings.

Ceramic pillows (0907/0960) by UnknownMarine Heritage Gallery Jakarta

6. Ceramic pillows

Ceramic pillows in China were first produced during the Tang dynasty (618–907). They became a popular domestic item among middle- and upper class families during the Song dynasty. Ceramic pillows were used not only by the living but for burial as well.

Trapezoidal pillow, made of baked clay. This pillow is a special item, the surface  are full of carvings, made by molding technique. This rare item may be specially ordered.

Ceramic pillows, were believed to keep the eyes healthy and beneficial to improve the personality.

Crystal Fish (907/960)Marine Heritage Gallery Jakarta

7. Crystal squid

Crystal squid shaped, with perforation, possibly for attachment to a string. Rock crystal was found and carved in India and South West of Asia. 

Mirror (907/960) by UnknownMarine Heritage Gallery Jakarta

8. Solid bronze mirror

The mirror is made of solid bronze. The front was polished and could be used as a mirror, while the back has molded decoration.

Mirror illustration study (2021/2021) by Marine Heritage GalleryMarine Heritage Gallery Jakarta

When sunlight or other bright light shines on a mirror, the mirror appears to be transparent. If the light is reflected from the mirror onto the wall, the pattern on the back of the mirror is then projected onto the wall.

Conch shell craft (0907/0960) by UnknownMarine Heritage Gallery Jakarta

Credits: Story

Written by Sonny Wibisono, BRIN (National Research and Innovation Agency)

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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