This dinner plate has sloping sides, a shallow centre and a gilt-edged rim. It is decorated on a white ground with shades of pink, green, brown and black. The central medallion shows a pair of fruit while the cavetto is adorned with four roundels containing the double happiness characters 'shuang xi' varying with peony sprays. An iron red lingzhi (fungus), a symbol of fertility can be seen on the side of the peony spray.Nonyaware plates were made in a variety of sizes – large platters, dinner plates, dessert dishes, plates, salad plates, and saucers. Most were purchased as part of dinner services, used for special occasions like the ‘tok panjang’ wedding feast. Wealthy families, who wanted special and unique pieces often commissioned items of rare designs or coloured grounds. Tok panjang refers to the long rectangular table often found in Peranakan Chinese homes.The term ‘makan tok panjang’ literally means to eat at a long table, to suggest dining at home during celebratory occasions.This piece is part of a set from Penang that was specially commissioned for a wedding.
