Page 150 - Vol_2_Archaeology of Manila Galleon Seaport Trade

6 Fujian and Hizen Ware: A 17th Century Evidence of the Manila … 121

The Beaterio de la Compaña de Jesusis located along Santa Lucia Street in the
corner of Victoria, between the Bastion de San Diego and the Cuartel de la
Artilleria. In front of the beaterio was the College of the Society of Jesus, a
proximity that allowed the beatas (pious women) easy access to the Church of Saint
Ignatius of Loyola (now the Pamantasanng Maynila), hence the appellation for the
nuns, Beatas de la Compania de Jesus.
A wealthy Spaniard once owned the beaterio, after which the building domiciled
the Religious of the Virgin Mary in the late 17th century (Archaeological, Cultural
and Environmental Consultancy Inc. [ACECI] 2002). The 2002 excavation by the
Archaeological, Cultural and Environmental Consultancy Inc. (ACECI) yielded
Chinese trade ceramics dated between the 16th and the 18th century.
Archaeologists have identi!ed these wares as having been manufactured in both
Fujian and Jingdezhen Kiln. The excavation uncovered !ve white glazed !gurines
of the Buddhist Lion (Male Fu Dog) from Dehua Kiln (Fig. 6.4) and sherds of the
blue-and-white dish from Zhangzhou (Fig. 6.5).
The site also yielded fragments of under glaze blue and white Hizen wares. Dish
and cup vessels with flower and animal designs were identi!ed by Nogami mostly
of “Kraak Style” which was produced in 1660–1690 in Arita, Japan.
2
The Ayuntamiento, with an approximate land area of 5000 m , is bound on the
northwest by Aduana Street, the northeast by the Banco Filipino Condominium
Property, the southeast by Stanto Tomas Street, and Cabildo Street. It was the site
of the Manila city government during the colonial period. The excavations at the
Ayuntamiento revealed seventeenth century materials such as porcelain sherds,
animal bones, shells, metal implements, and earthenware sherds. The excavation
also exposed a number of inverted stoneware jars that served as water proo!ng units
that appeared integral to the structural design. According to Angel Bautista (2001),
these jars likely prevented the capillary action of water from spreading underground
and dampening the floors of the living quarters during floods (Bautista 2001).
Fujian wares excavated from the Ayuntamiento came in the form of saucers,
bowls, and plates. Ceramic decorations included pine trees, flowers, cord-like lotus,
and floral scroll motifs in panel characteristic of a kraak ware (Bautista 2001).

Fig. 6.4 Beaterio de la Compaña de Jesus, Intramuros 17th century Blanc de Chine Figurine Male
Fu Dog or Buddhist Lion Dehua Kiln, Fujian