The Porcelain series takes its starting point in actual historic events surrounding a shipment of porcelain from Asia to Europe in the 17th century.

On the morning of Christmas 1601 the San Jago set sail from Goa bound for Lisbon. The cargo included the first consignment of South East Asian porcelain destined for the European market. On 14 March 1602, off the coast of St. Helena, the San Jago unexpectedly encountered three Dutch ships and a fierce battle followed. After three days of fighting the Portuguese surrendered and the Dutch took possession of the San Jago.

This historic event formed the basis for a three-part television series called "Porcelain" filmed in Vietnam and broadcasted on Vietnamese television in March 2010.