KENDI EWER

Porcelain painted with underglaze blue, silver mounting repousse and incised.
China, Qing dynasty, 2nd half of the 18th cent. - early 19th cent., mounting - today's Indonesian regions, 19th century.
The tradition of exporting Chinese porcelain to other Asian countries and further to Europe and Africa originated from the period of the Tang dynasty. Such unique pieces of porcelain were highly appreciated everywhere. In the insular South-East Asia Chinese porcelain was the symbol of high social status and welfare. People also believed that porcelain had magical attributes. In Malay countries same as in Europe porcelain's value was stressed by the luxurious mounting.

MAP 14725, acquired in 1995.