Spoon

Collections
1148782
Title
Spoon
Year/Period
Mid-late 19th century
Region
China
Material
Dimension
Unknown Type: H: 3.,
3 W: 3.
,
3 Dia: 11.0in cm
Accession No.
2011-02676
Collection of
Credit Line
Gift of Agnes Tan Kim Lwi in memory of Tun Tan Cheng Lock.

This porcelain spoon comprises of a simple oval shaped scoop with a handle and gilt-edged rims. It is decorated with motifs of a phoenix in flight, its yellow ochre tail extending along the handle. It flies among pink peonies in sprays with leaves and buds. The phoenix is an auspicious symbol in the Chinese culture representing beauty, grace, high virtue, the bride and the Empress. Likewise, peonies are auspicious symbols that symbolise spring, love, beauty and good fortune. Such overglaze polychrome enamelled porcelain or Nonyaware could be part of the elaborate 'tok panjang' dinner service which refers to dining at home on special occasions. Such a dinner service could comprise several hundred to several thousand pieces of plates, bowls and spoons of varying sizes.

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