
I'm still mesmerized by the "sea sculpture"
Amelia Handegan discovered at the Charleston International Antiques Show. Salvaged from a shipwreck, explains
Susan Sully, Handegan's intriguing object is comprised of 16th-century Thai ceramic bowls that became fused to natural coral after sitting at the bottom of the ocean for two centuries.

If I ever find myself in a position to acquire something like this at auction, I'll jump at the chance. (That's a huge
if.) But I don't plan to hot glue any Asian bowls to a piece of coral. The appeal of sea sculptures is the story behind them. The improbability of their survival. Also, the accidental nature of the fusion makes them more beautiful, at least to me. Having said that, I can see
Tony Duquette doing this on purpose.

It is believed that fire caused the 18th-century
Ca Mau shipwreck, and that heat from the blaze fused numerous tea bowls and vases together. The piece above was auctioned by
Sotheby's in 2007; today the
V & A owns it. Click
here to learn more about shipwreck ceramics.
Image two above © The Southern Cosmopolitan: Sophisticated Southern Style
by Susan Sully, Rizzoli New York, 2009.
16 comments:
Courtney - that is simply amazing. If one comes up I think it calls for cashing in the 401K (what is left of it.)
Patricia -- tempting thought. Doubt there is enough left. But fun fantasy :)
* OMG, I just checked out the Sotheby's site~~~ 76,000 pieces survived?!? SOOOOOOOO fascinating!!! Gotta go read MORE about all of this! ("WOW" for the third, or fourth, time!!!)... MANY THANKS, Linda in AZ *
Hi Linda -- glad you enjoyed the link! It is amazing.
I think that Amelia's piece is one of the prettiest things I've ever seen - it's just amazing.
Hi Joni -- Thought you would appreciate this too. She has such great taste!
These are so fascinating ~ the perfect curio!
Just amazing. I had no idea that would happen. Well, ashes to ashes, dust to dust, I suppose! Thanks for always having such insightful posts!
Courtney,
I attended a lecture at Sotheby's Amsterdam on the seas culptures and it was perhaps the most amazing thing I've seen/heard in the last decade! I sat in open mouth awe. Mrs Blandings commented above "Cash in the 401K!" and I can't help but agree with her!! I'd give my eye tooth for a piece of collection!
Toma
this is so romantic , some how !!!! the second and last ones are stunning !!
Courtney...so beautiful. I learned something new today. Thanks....
Blessings...
I'm with Joni! That piece is absolutely stunning!!! I've never seen anything like it.
I love this post! It inspired me to paint!
Thank You!
Amanda Talley
Toma -- I envy you! I would have loved to be there for the lecture. Thanks for sharing.
Amanda -- yay! That makes me feel great.
GSG, Renae and everyone -- I love it when you say a post is inspirational. Thanks so much for taking time to comment!
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