Joss Stick Holder thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Joss Stick Holder

1890-1930 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

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.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Porcelain painted with overglaze enamels
Brief description
Joss stick holder, overglaze polychrome enamelled porcelain, Chinese export to Southeast Asia, 1890-1930
Physical description
Joss stick holder, overglaze polychrome enamelled porcelain, cylindrical, with straight sides, low footring and flat gilt-edged mouth-rim, decorated on each side with a lime green ogival medallion enclosing a flying phoenix above rocks and peonies, on a pink ground decorated with peonies, buds and leaves; around the base a border of stylized lotus petals in lime green, green, mauve and red; the mouth-rim with a border featuring four of the Buddhist Emblems on a green ground; the recessed base and interior white-glazed. Mark on base.
Dimensions
  • Height: 24cm
  • Diameter: 9cm
Style
Marks and inscriptions
順灿記號 (Factory mark, square in red on base)
Translation
Mark of Shuncanji
Transliteration
Shuncanji hao
Credit line
Given by Mrs M. Joan Stewart
Object history
Collected by Mrs M. Joanna Stewart when she was residing in Malaysia from 1962 to 1979.
Summary
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.
Collection
Accession number
FE.56-2014

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Record createdSeptember 7, 2014
Record URL
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