The Peranakans are well-known for their porcelain ware. Different sets were used for different occasions. Peranakan Porcelain ware commissioned and manufactured in China and exported for the Peranakan in the British Straits Settlements (the Malay Peninsula and Singapore). The Peranakans who made this porcelain were from wealthy families.
Their ware does not have the dragon motif as the people who had left China were no longer loyal to the Ching empire. In the past, a Peranakan family will have three sets of porcelain war were used for different occasions.
Famille Rose Porcelains
Famille Rose porcelain was used for brought out during special occasions such as birthdays and weddings. The most expensive was the festive ware with its colourful backgrounds and motifs.
Daily Porcelain
Daily porcelain would have been a mix of English patterned plates bought from Robinsons. Johnson’s Brothers porcelain was the popular brand of the day.
Blue and White Porcelain
Blue and white porcelain would be used during funerals and the mourning period. In China though, it was common to use blue and white porcelain for everyday use. Nyonya restaurants wrong present the culture by serving dishes using blue porcelains that may confuse the customers.
Comments