Block printed ceramic plate with green and brown glaze

DateEarly 20th century

Object number00002671

NamePlate

MediumCeramic

DimensionsOverall: 60 x 278 x 278 mm, 0.75 kg

ClassificationsTableware and furnishings

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory

Terms

DescriptionThis ceramic plate is of Chinese origin and has a green and brown design. For centuries Macassans were active sailing on the Timor and Arafura seas to northern Australia conducting trade with the Indigenous population. They collected trepang, turtle shell and other marine products for sale and are known to have interacted with Chinese traders upon return to Indonesia . This industry declined at the beginning of the 20th century after the Australian government introduced customs taxes and license fees for Macassan traders.HistorySince at least the 17th century Macassan traders from Indonesia were coming to the shores of northern Australia on an annual basis to harvest trepang (sea cucumbers, beche de mer) - a delicacy favoured throughout Asia, particularly in China. At the time, Macassan traders were travelling in the most technologically advanced vessels seen in Australian waters. In their prahus (also spelled perahu) they sailed down during the monsoonal wet season and returned at the start of the dry season to trade with Dutch and Chinese merchants. They also collected and traded other marine products such as pearls, pearl shell, trochus shell, fish, turtle shells and meat. This trade started to decline at the turn of the 20th century when the Australian government introduced customs taxes and license fees as a deterrent. The contact between the local Indigenous people, the Yolngu and the Macassans had an impact on both cultures in aspects of art, trade, technology, language, economy and even marriage. The Macassan visitors are remembered in Indigenous oral history, ceremonies and paintings depicting Macassan prahus. SignificanceThis late 19th century plate reflects the Chinese influence in trade between Macassans and Indigenous Australians. The Macassans were involved in the first trade industry in Australia.