This bowl is an example of Peranakan Chinese porcelain or Nyonya ware made from overglaze polychrome porcelain. It has an everted, gilt edged chrysanthemum shaped rim. It is decorated with of deep red peony blossoms and a phoenix in flight. These are painted against a bright yellow background. Yellow is considered an auspicious colour by the Peranakan Chinese and was associated with festive occasions such as Chinese New Year but seldom with weddings. Symbols of the Eight Buddhist Emblems, such as the Lotus flower and the pair of fish, form a rose pink border pattern at the rim to represent all manner of good wishes. These are interspersed with patterns of trailing ribbons. This piece could have been a serving bowl used for serving main dishes cooked with gravy, such as curry. Smaller bowls could be used as dessert bowls to serve creamy glutinous rice or juice based fruit desserts.
