Title
Wedding basin
Year/Period
Guangxu period (1875-1908), Qing dynasty
Region
China
Object Type
Material
Technique
Dimension
Object size: 13.5 x 40.5 cm
Accession No.
1999-00790
Collection of
Credit Line
Gift of Tony Wee and Colin Holland
This large wash basin is notable for the auspicious designs at the centre, featuring two phoenix amidst peonies set against a white background. The phoenix and peony are recurring motifs found on Chinese Peranakan wedding garments and porcelain. The phoenix is the traditional emblem of the empress while the peony is a symbol for prosperity. The auspicious designs indicates that this is a specially commissioned piece.As part of the wedding gifts, the bride's father would present a large bridal basin. It would have been placed on a washstand in the bridal room. The bride would use it to serve warm water to her husband during the couple's stay at the bride's home during the 12-day wedding.
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