A washbasin such as this piece would have been part of a wedding trousseau presented to a Peranakan bride by her parents. Auspicious designs are particularly apparent on Peranakan wedding items. This example is richly decorated with the classic phoenix and peony design on a blue turquoise ground and is fully enamelled inside.The basin would have been placed on a washstand in the bridal room for the bride to prepare hot water for her husband during the couple's stay at the bride's home during the 12-day wedding. A complete wedding washstand would be equipped with a towel on the upper rail, a basin and a spittoon on the bottom rack.
