Chinese porcelain plate, famille rose, Peranakan

Hollow plate in Chinese porcelain, decorated with famille rose enamels. It dates from the end of the Qing dynasty and belongs to the productions exported to Southeast Asia. Its vibrant palette (pink, turquoise, yellow) is that of the porcelain prized by the Peranakan communities of the Straits: Singapore, Malacca, and Penang. These Sino-Malay families commissioned brightly coloured services from China for special occasions and domestic life. In the centre, within a red iron-bordered medallion, a basket suspended by a knotted green ribbon overflows with carmine peonies and foliage. It rests on a turquoise support adorned with yellow flowers and a flower in a cloud-shaped reserve. Three butterflies, blue and yellow, flutter around the scene. Peonies and butterflies, symbols of prosperity and happy love, are cherished motifs in the Peranakan universe. The rim features a frieze of ruyi motifs and clouds in pink, turquoise, yellow, and blue, alternating with purple flowers. The edge is highlighted with a brown-orange line. The thick enamels, applied in slight relief, give this piece a lot of freshness and character. The reverse is covered with a bluish-white glaze, without mark. The foot is unglazed and shows traces of firing sand, typical of productions from that era. Dimensions. Diameter: 20 cm. Condition. Good condition considering its age. The enamels are well preserved and vibrant. There are original firing defects (small pits and grains in the glaze, slight irregularity of the enamels), surface wear marks, and a small chip in the glaze on the reverse, near the edge. There are no visible cracks or restorations. Period / Style. Late 19th century, Qing dynasty, famille rose, Peranakan taste. Material. Glazed porcelain. Provenance. China, for the Southeast Asian market.