Page 236 - Vol_2_Archaeology of Manila Galleon Seaport Trade

208 E. Von der Porten

Figs. 12.37, 12.38 Chinese bronze mirror and disc (Courtesy of SAS-INAH)

Fig. 12.39 Brass lock plate
from a Chinese or
Southeast-Asian matchlock
!rearm

know 16 (Fig. 12.39). Using low-grade weaponry to arm the east-bound galleons
would have made sense when good-quality weapons were kept in the Philippines
for the defenses of Manila.
Cloisonné represents an uncommon element in the Chinese trade with the
Spaniards, probably because it did not bring a large-enough pro!t at the Fair at
Acapulco (Fig. 12.40). The same considerations may have caused the disappear-
ance of the polychrome porcelains from the trade.

16
The lock plate and one of the lead balls are described in Peter Von der Porten’s “The Matchlock
Lock Plate and Lead Ball.”