The “Chupu” is a covered jar with no handles or side knobs. It is also referred to as “Katmau” or “Himcheng”. This piece has steep walls, a tapering base and a wide mouth with a bevelled rim. A high domed cover is fitted over it with an inverted pink glazed conical finial. The cover and body are decorated with a rose pink quatrefoil medallion enclosing a phoenix and a rose pink peony spray. This is set against a brown background, which is a relatively rare colour used in Nyonya wares. The phoenix is an auspicious symbol that represents beauty, grace, high virtue, the bride and the empress. At the same time, peonies symbolise spring, love, beauty and good fortune. Symbols from the Eight auspicious Buddhist Emblems with trailing ribbons on a rose pink background decorate the jar mouth and the rim of the cover. The base of the piece is decorated with stylised lotus petals in yellow and pink. The Chupu could have been used as a food container and also used for double boiling foods such as herbal soups. As the third type of important ware used in Peranakan Chinese wedding ceremonies, it could be used to contain delicacies symbolic of marital harmony, such as bird’s nest soup.
