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

Covered jar, overglaze polychrome enamelled porcelain, of circular form, with steep walls and a tapering base and a wide mouth with a bevelled rim over which is fitted a high domed cover topped by an inverted aqua green conical finial, the body and cover each decorated with an aqua green quatrefoil medallion enclosing a peony spray, on a olive green ground featuring sprigs of flowers and butterflies; around the base a border of stylized lotus petals in aqua green, pink and light green; the jar mouth and cover rim with the Eight Buddhist Emblems on a pink ground; the rims of the jar, cover, and finial are 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 reserved for festive and special occasions. They represent an important part of the heritage of the Chinese diaspora in Southeast Asia.

Known locally in some regions as katmau, covered jars like these may have been used as food containers.

FE.54:1, 2-2014