This bowl is an example of Peranakan Chinese porcelain or Nyonya ware made from overglaze polychrome enamelled porcelain. Such pieces could have been specially commissioned for special occasions such as weddings and birthdays. The piece carries the reign mark “Guangxu nian zhi”, suggesting it could have been manufactured during the reign of Emperor Guangxu from 1875 to 1908. The decorative motifs on this piece consist of sprays of large peonies in shades of red with leaves and buds. The peony is a symbol of spring, love, beauty and good fortune. These motifs are set against a greenish brown background. This is a relatively rare colour and was used mostly in Nonya ware from Malacca and Singapore rather than Penang. The rim has a border pattern consisting of symbols from the Eight auspicious Buddhist Emblems such as the Conch Shell and the pair of golden fish. The symbols represent all manner of good wishes. These are interspersed with designs of trailing ribbons. Such bowls could be used to serve main dishes cooked with gravy, such as curry, or creamy glutinous rice or juice based fruit desserts.
