Teapot, overglaze polychrome enamelled porcelain, Chinese export to Southeast Asia, 1890-1930

Teapot, overglaze polychrome enamelled porcelain, cylindrical with curved spout, sloping shoulder set with ears for two metal wire handles, straight mouth fitted with a shallow dish-like cover. The body is decorated on each side with a pink ogival medallion enclosing a phoenix in flight above peonies, on an aqua green ground decorated with different flowers; the underside of the spout is decorated with a floral spray; the base with a border of stylized lotus petals in lime green, pink, aqua blue and red; the shoulders with the Eight Buddhist Emblems on a pink ground; the lid with a peony spray on an aqua green ground, its flattened pink rim with stylized floral scrolls. The rim of the cover and spout gilded. Mark on base.

Given by Mrs M. Joan Stewart

Collected by Mrs M. Joanna Stewart when she was residing in Malaysia from 1962 to 1979.

This type of colourful enamelled porcelain is commonly known as Nyonya wares (also spelt Nonya). They were made in Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, China, in the mid-19th to 20th century specifically for export to Southeast Asia, where they were commissioned and used by wealthy Chinese families in places such as Singapore, Malacca and Penang. The pieces were mainly used during festive and special occasions. They represent an important part of the heritage of the Chinese diaspora in Southeast Asia.

FE.51:1, 2-2014