Azure Peranakan Gaiwan #2

​Peranakan wares are one of the few styles of ceramic arts that can be considered unique to our region! Used by the Straits-born Chinese from the mid 1800s, the style is a fusion of Southeast Asian (especially Malay) and Chinese culture, and produced in kilns of Jingdezhen in China. There are fewer painters of the Peranakan works these days, as the traditional Nyonya culture fades, and many of the old masters are no longer around. 

Besides the vibrant contrasting colours, Peranakan or Nyonya wares also feature plenty of Peony and Phoenixes! Peonies represent prosperity, good fortune and beauty. But we think the Phoenix is more interesting! With the head of a golden pheasant, body of a mandarin duck, tail of a peacock, legs of a crane and wings of a swallow, the Phoenix combines the lucky elements of these auspicious Chinese birds to represent beauty, grace and virtue. The male counterpart, the Dragon, is noticeably absent, which is a testament to the matriarchal nature of the Peranakan culture.

This historical-style Gaiwan is made of porcelain, and is thus versatile and suitable for brewing all teas. 

Painted porcelain gaiwan.

Approximate Dimensions:

Height of base + body + lid: 8cm

Diameter of rim of gaiwan: 8.5cm

Diameter of base/saucer: 8.5cm

Capacity: to the brim 135ml, functionally for brewing 100ml