Title
Spoon
Year/Period
Mid-late 19th century
Region
China
Material
Dimension
Object size: H4.3 X W4.4 X D13.0
Accession No.
2011-02665
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 and pink peonies. 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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