This spoon rest has sloping sides, a shallow centre and a gilt-edged rim. It is decorated on a white ground with shades of green, red and black. The central medallion shows a fruit, probably peach or pomegranate, both symbols of fertility. While the cavetto is adorned with two roundels containing the double happiness characters 'shuang xi' varying with peony sprays. The collective Baba Malay term for dining ware is 'pinggan mangkok', which literally means 'plates and bowls'. The dinner service can also include cups, saucers, spoons and spoon rests. Wealthy Peranakan families often commissioned the highest quality porcelain wares for special occasions that would bear their surnames. These wares would have elaborate decorations of phoenix and peony motifs. This piece was part of a set from Penang that was specially commissioned for a wedding.
