This large green porcelain spittoon features a painted design of floral and phoenix motifs. Betel-chewing was a practice once common in the Peranakan Chinese community. Spittoons were an essential part of the sireh paraphernalia that comprised a box with several receptacles that contain the various ingredients used in betel-chewing. Nonyas in particular used them on a daily basis, and on weddings. Spittoons were used for the hygienic disposal of spittle that resulted from chewing of betel leaves. Sometimes, a metal container with a handle was placed inside the spittoon for the convenient disposal of the contents. This tall spittoon was placed on the floor and within the lower compartment of washstands in bridal chambers. Spittoons also appear as part of the accessories associated with material wealth in portrait paintings.
