Peranakan wares to be auctioned
GEORGE TOWN: A rare Baba and Nyonya teapot, used by the bride and groom for serving tea to wedding guests, will be one of the items auctioned at a State Chinese (Penang) Association (SCPA) exhibition on Nov 26.
The bowl holds a reserve price of RM22,000 and is an original Penang Peranakan piece, likely from the 1920s.
The price could reach as high as RM70,000.
SCPA president Datuk Tan Gin Soon said the auction was being held following the success of the first one in May, and feedback from collectors and members.
“This auction will be held in conjunction with the 30th International Baba Nyonya Convention from Nov 24 to 26, which will see some 500 delegates of Peranakan descent from nine countries, including Singapore and China. We also want to promote Peranakan culture and its living history in Penang.”
Tan said an exhibition showcasing Peranakan culture, with wares to be placed on auction, would be held on Nov 24 and 25.
SCPA vice-president Cheah Chooi Aik said Peranakan wares were highly sought after.
The cylindrical teapot was a rare item, as it was believed to be one of the few large teapots, measuring up to some 20cm, in existence.
“The teapot was commissioned from China for Babas and Nyonyas. The teapot’s design, featuring flowers set against a green background, is a unique Peranakan design peculiar to Melaka, Penang and Singapore,” Cheah said.
He said Peranakan ceramic wares had designs of flowers, vegetables and Malay-styled motifs, while main-land Chinese ones were usually filled with dragons and similar motifs.
He said the bluish-purple, dark green (famille-verte), powder blue and pink colours were not usually found on mainland Chinese ceramics, which were usually white and blue, but only on Peranakan wares.
He said the teapot set, ordered together with a set of about 100 cups, plates and other wares of the same design, was also used as a display of wealth and prosperity.
“When a family is rich, it will commission elaborate wares for special occasions.”
He said other items of interest during the auction were 90-yearold Tepak Sireh sets used to store sireh (betel) leaves, areca nuts, tobacco and chalk.
“In Peranakan culture, it was considered rude not to serve sireh to guests. Everyone used to chew sireh and spit the juices in a spittoon.”
MNP Auctioneers Central managing director Stephen Soon said the auction would be telecast live online, with bidding from other countries accepted.
He said those who wanted to auction off their Peranakan wares, old photos, silverware or anything related to Babas and Nyonyas should visit the SCPA for appraisals before Oct 7.