Of octagonal form, decorated in underglaze blue with pierced latticework panels framed by ruyi-head motifs, beneath a band of crashing waves and floral sprays.

The Hatcher Cargo, recovered from a shipwreck believed to date to the mid-17th century, was among the first major consignments of salvaged Chinese porcelain to reach the international art market. Dispersed through a series of Christie's auctions in Amsterdam in 1984 and 1985, it remains an important reference for the study of Transitional porcelain (c. 1620–1670).

The cargo can be dated to around 1643–1645, principally through two porcelain covers inscribed with the date 1643, supported by stylistic comparisons with other dated examples. The remarkable consistency of the recovered ceramics provides valuable insight into Chinese porcelain production during the turbulent transition from the Ming to the Qing dynasty.

Ref.:
- Christie's Amsterdam, 12-13 June 1984, pp. 48-50, lots 700-708, including the present example.
- An identical pair is in the British Museum, London, museum no. 1984,0303.12.a-b. (link)

Literature:
- C. Sheaf and R. Kilburn, 'Hatcher Porcelain Cargoes: The Complete Record', pl. 110.