Peranakan porcelain was exported from China as a result of a specialized market in South East Asia, mainly in Malaysia and Singapore.
Peranakan or Baba Nyonya are terms for a subgroup of the Straits Chinese and their unique culture. They are the descendants of early Chinese emigrants who settled on both sides of the Malacca straits in the 15th and 16th centuries. That is mainly in the areas of present-day Singapore, Malacca and Penang.
These early settlers often took Malay or Indonesian brides and as a result their culture and objects was influenced by the local Malay culture, creating a very distinct local Chinese flavor.
In the second half of the 19th century they started ordering porcelain wares custom made to their taste in China. These Nyonya wares represent one of the most colorful porcelain wares made in China.
The Straits Chinese porcelain is generally brighter and more colorful than any other export porcelain made in China. The base color is often a bright yellow, green, pink, etc.
In the decoration the phoenix and peony have a prominent position in the local porcelain design. The phoenix appears often much larger on Nyonya porcelain than on porcelain used in China.
Do you own real antique Nyonya porcelain? You are welcome to post images to the Visitor Gallery to let other visitors enjoy the beautiful colors of Straits Chinese porcelain.
In the second half of the 19th century they started ordering porcelain wares custom made to their taste in China. These Nyonya wares represent one of the most colorful porcelain wares made in China.