Title
Bowl
Year/Period
Late 19th-early 20th century
Region
Kuala Lumpur, British Malaya
Dimension
Gross measurement: H: 5.5,
x Dia: 10.0 cm
x Dia: 10.0 cm
Accession No.
2009-03033
Collection of
Credit Line
Gift of Sunny Chan Hean Kee
This bowl is an example of Peranakan Chinese porcelain or Nyonya ware made from overglaze polychrome porcelain. It is designed with motifs of a red phoenix perched among sprays of bright red peony blossoms. The phoenix is an auspicious symbol that represents beauty, grace, high virtue, the bride and the empress. Peonies symbolise spring, love, beauty and good fortune. These are set against a white background which heightens the colour and decorative effect of the motifs. Symbols of the Eight Buddhist Emblems form a yellow border pattern at the rim to represent all manner of good wishes. These symbols include the Wheel of Law and the Unending Knot and are interspersed with trailing ribbons.
