This bowl is an example of Peranakan Chinese porcelain or Nyonya ware made from overglaze polychrome enamelled porcelain. Such pieces could have been specially commissioned for special occasions such as weddings and birthdays. This piece carries the shop mark “Xu Shun Chang zao”. The inside of the bowl is painted with sprays of large peonies in shades of deep red and pink, together with their leaves and buds. The peony is a symbol of spring, love, beauty and good fortune. These motifs are painted against a rose pink background which represents happiness, longevity, youthfulness and innocence. The rim has a border pattern consisting of lotus flowers interspersed with designs of trailing ribbons. The size of this piece suggests it could be a dessert bowl used to serve creamy glutinous rice or juice based fruit desserts. Such bowls could also be used for serving tea or for placing on the family altar on top of a matching saucer.
