Title
Plate
Year/Period
Late 19th-early 20th century
Region
Kuala Lumpur, British Malaya
Dimension
Gross measurement: H:3.6 x Dia:14.6 cm
Accession No.
2009-03098
Collection of
Credit Line
Gift of Sunny Chan Hean Kee
This dish is an example of Nonyaware, which are overglaze polychrome enamelled porcelains possibly imported from the kilns of Jindezhen in China for Straits Chinese customers. It has a gilt edged rim and is decorated with several motifs. These include a solitary crane, its details outlined in shades of dark green, surrounded by orange flowers. Among the floral motifs are also pairs of orange and green butterflies. Brown coloured key frets also form a border pattern along the edges of the plate. The crane is an auspicious symbol representing status and long life. Butterflies are symbols of joy, beauty and romance. When shown with flowers, together they symbolise marital happiness and fidelity.
