This porcelain spoon is decorated with motifs of the phoenix and peonies. The symbols of the eight auspicious Buddhist emblems line the edge of the piece. These motifs could have been painted using polychrome enamel. The phoenix is an auspicious symbol in the Chinese culture representing beauty, grace, high virtue, the bride and the Empress. Likewise, peonies are auspicious symbols that symbolise spring, love, beauty and good fortune. Peranakan Chinese spoons were usually smaller, more graceful and delicate than those used by other Chinese to eat food.
