Formally receiving the recovered artefact at the National Museum, Board Chairman
Harris McCoy (left) shares the moment of pride with father and son, Ricky Zelaya and
11-year-old Andrew.

On a quest to find the famed seaplane wreck in the North Sound, Ricky Zelaya and his son Andrew spotted a rare find: one of the largest recovered pottery artefacts so far, believed to be a relic of the 18th century or earlier.

The Chinese design pottery bowl, which has its entire centre intact, will be investigated by the Museum’s curators to authenticate it more precisely.

The piece was delivered to the National Museum on Friday, 9 May. It was received by Acting Museum Director Debra Barnes-Tabora, who thanked the proud father and son for the “historically valuable” find.

For 11-year-old Andrew, who will be entering in September the 8th year at the Pace High School (George Hicks Campus), it was the first time he had ever found anything this significant. His father, Mr Zelaya, said that when they stumbled upon it, it was lying face down on the sea floor. When they retrieved it, they could see that it was antique.

“We decided then that the Museum was the place to take it to,” he said.

The pottery shard, following investigation, will join the other recovered artefacts in the reopened Museum in early 2009. At that time exhibits will be installed and the Museum will resume business as usual.

The Museum is planning a “soft” opening of the building in November, prior to the installation of exhibits. This is to enable the public to see firsthand the outcome of the restoration of the building, which, as the last remaining authenticated building of its vintage, is an artefact of significant importance to the Cayman Islands.