Straits Chinese Porcelain: A Collector's GuideStraits Chinese porcelain refers to a little known category of nineteenth century polychrome enamelled export porcelain. It was made exclusively for the community of Straits-born Chinese whose ancestors first settled down in Malacca at the beginning of the fourteenth century. Most extant pieces my be dated between the reign of Tao Kuan (1821-50) and the beginning of the Min Kuo era (1920). It differs from tradition wares made in China, not only in the shapes of the potting but also in the styles of the decorative designs. Nonya ware is characterised by its baroque exuberance of decorative motifs and vivid, colourful famille rose enamel. It also has one decorative theme -- the phoenix-and-tree peony design. |
Common terms and phrases
Baba Malay baba-nonyas blue and white bowls Ceramic Art ch'i-lings Ch'ing Dynasty Chia Ch'ing China Chinese ceramics Ching-tê-chên collectors colours coral red Courtesy of Katong cover decorative designs decorative motifs depicted dishes enamelled ground enamelled wares export wares extant pieces famille rose enamels flowers giltwood glaze Grace Saw green enamel Hanlen Collection Height imperial nien haos iron red Japanese jars Kakiemon kamcheng pots kat-maus Katong Antique House kilns Kuang-hsü Malacca Malaya Malaysia Ming Dynasty nien chih nineteenth century nonya food nonya wares ogival panels opaque painted Penang peonies peranakan peranakan Chinese phoenix phoenix-and-peony motif pieces of Straits plates polychrome polychrome enamels porcelain wares potters Private collection red sealscript reign rose pink shapes shop-marks Singapore Straits babas Straits Chinese community Straits Chinese homes Straits Chinese porcelain Straits Chinese taste Straits Settlements style Tao Kuan teacups tion traditional Tung Chih typical utensils vases white wares Yi-hsing teapots