Spittoon
1800-1894 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
Painted enamels of this kind were commonly known in English as 'Canton enamel', after the main centre of their production in South China. They were popular export products in the 18th and 19th centuries. These copper wares were also produced in Beijing for imperial consumption. In Chinese they were referred to as 'foreign porcelain' (yangci 洋瓷).
This object was made for export to the Thai market. Thai kings gave sets of enamelled copperwares to senior monks in royal temples. The conferral of enamelled copperwares to monks was a way of honouring the monastic community, often coinciding with promotions or significant events in a monk's life. The choice of copperwares was appropriate for gifts to monks, as they had taken vows of poverty. The enamelled copperwares given to monks were usually decorated with floral patterns against a yellow ground.
This object was made for export to the Thai market. Thai kings gave sets of enamelled copperwares to senior monks in royal temples. The conferral of enamelled copperwares to monks was a way of honouring the monastic community, often coinciding with promotions or significant events in a monk's life. The choice of copperwares was appropriate for gifts to monks, as they had taken vows of poverty. The enamelled copperwares given to monks were usually decorated with floral patterns against a yellow ground.
Object details
Category | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Painted polychrome enamels on a copper body. |
Brief description | Spittoon, painted enamels on copper, Guangzhou, China, 1800-1894 |
Physical description | Spittoon with an oval body, high shoulder, straight rim, and short ring foot. The exterior is painted polychrome enamels, depicting flowers within lozenge shaped compartments on a yellow ground. |
Dimensions |
|
Credit line | Purchased. |
Object history | Purchased from a source not recorded in the Asia Department registers, accessioned in 1894. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Asia Department registers, as part of a 2022 provenance research project. |
Summary | Painted enamels of this kind were commonly known in English as 'Canton enamel', after the main centre of their production in South China. They were popular export products in the 18th and 19th centuries. These copper wares were also produced in Beijing for imperial consumption. In Chinese they were referred to as 'foreign porcelain' (yangci 洋瓷). This object was made for export to the Thai market. Thai kings gave sets of enamelled copperwares to senior monks in royal temples. The conferral of enamelled copperwares to monks was a way of honouring the monastic community, often coinciding with promotions or significant events in a monk's life. The choice of copperwares was appropriate for gifts to monks, as they had taken vows of poverty. The enamelled copperwares given to monks were usually decorated with floral patterns against a yellow ground. |
Collection | |
Accession number | 416-1894 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
Record created | June 25, 2009 |
Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest