Page 238 - Vol_2_Archaeology of Manila Galleon Seaport Trade

210 E. Von der Porten

Fig. 12.42 Calligraphy
bowls with a few clearly
painted characters

Fig. 12.43 Chinese bronze
coin (Courtesy of
SAS-INAH)

To date, we do not know the market for one of the most unusual plates, the one
with “gentlemen’s purses” design with its Chinese, Buddhist and Muslim elements.
There is a lone Chinese bronze coin (Fig. 12.43). Was it the decoration of a
basket or other container? A souvenir? Or a hint of a Chinese crewman?
Does the presence of a Buddhist “singing” prayer bowl suggest a Chinese
crewman, or is it another exotic item in the early trade (Fig. 12.44)?
The same question could be asked about the bronze Buddhist guardian male lion
with his paw on an openwork ball and an open fanged mouth (Fig. 12.45). It sits on
the cover of an incense burner. Incense smoke would have rolled out of the lion’s
mouth.