Nonya Ware and Kitchen Ching (South East Asia Ceramic Society)
This is a fundamental and quite interesting exhibition catalog of a little published kind of Chinese export porcelain, that went to South East Asia during the 19th century. Som was for every day use, some for restaurants – food hawkers – and some for altar and ceremonial use. If you live in Singapore or Malaysia this is a “must have”. I also think that most other collectors interested in the not so expensive common wares of our last few hundred years would find this interesting.
Exhibition held in Muzium Seni Asia, University of Malaya
Kuala Lumpur 1981.
128 pages
Well illustrated with 35 color pictures, 200 catalog pictures in b/w.
plus numerous other b/w figures and maps.
First printing Oxford University Press, 1981 (3000 copies).
Second printing, 1991 (1500 copies).
ISBN. 0-19-582516-0
Straits Chinese Porcelain: A Collector’s Guide, by Ho Wing Meng
This is my favorite among the books that details Straits Chinese porcelain. The first edition appeared in 1983 but was soon followed by a second, amended, updated and corrected. For the casual browser the first edition would be perfectly all right while if you are more stringent with getting everything right you would want as late edition as possible of this book.
This beautifully illustrated volume presents Straits Chinese porcelain, an outside South East Asia little known category of 19th century polychrome enameled porcelain made in China, exclusively for export to the Straits Chinese communities of Southeast Asia. Some marks, glossary and bibliography included.
Format: Hardcover, 144 pages
Published: 1983, Singapore, 1st Edition
ISBN: 9789812327581
Straits Chinese Porcelain: A Celebration of a Unique Malaysian Heritage Showcasing the Datin Seri Kee Ming-Yuet Collection, by Ming-Yuet Kee, is quite a large book with its 28×30 cm impressive frame.
This lavishly illustrated book is a celebration to “Straits Chinese Porcelain as a Malaysian heritage”. This heavily sponsored publication is a catalog of the personal collection of Datin Seri Kee Ming-Yuet, who is also the author. The authentication of the porcelain is credited Professor Qin Xi Lin and Dr. Cao Jian Wen of the Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute.
The book features more than 150 pieces dating from the late Qing dynasty and the early years of the Republic are featured. Among them are plates, tea sets, wine warmers, jugs, teapots and bedroom sets. Most of them in undisputed Straits Chinese decoration while a few more general export patterns also have got some recognition. Each piece is accompanied by a detailed description, which are quite interesting both for the porcelain collectors as well as those wanting to become more familiar with the Baba Nyonya culture of the Malaccan peninsula.
Beside some patriotic slants in perspective the book contains quite a lot of information of this unique type of porcelain, its history and decoration. The full color photographic illustrations are stunning of the shapes and decorations that the author chooses to show. The only week point I can think of is that the definition of what constitutes Straits Chinese porcelain could have been tighter. Some of the undisputed glory of this magnificent ware is thus maybe not coming to its right but despite this, the book is an excellent starting point.
Format: Hardcover, 227 pages
Published: 2004, Malaysia, 1st Edition
ISBN: 9789833214020
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