Design Method: Nyonyawares

Nyonyaware, multi-colored ceramic designs from Jiangxi and Guangdong provices in China, made specifically for the Straits Chinese, which in Melaka, Singapore, and Penang. As these motifs and symbols have their own meanings and significance, they are cleverly featured to signify the special occasions that an item is used for, like birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, Chinese New Year and funerals.The different nyonyawares have different usage and meaning :


Set 1: Wares for everyday use.
blue and white wares usual worship and during time of mouring. They also used only for special occasions such as funerals.


Set 2: A dinner setting for eight persons
the big bowls in the centre are used for soup dishes.
the small plates are for sauce and appetiser.
the medium size plates for dry cooked food.
the bigger plates are for cooked rice.
the are also individual soup bowls and spoons.
the "peranakan" & "straits-born" are with their figures. There no spoons and forks.


Set 3: Assorted nyonya wares
Colourful ware are use during auspicious occasions. The Ming dynasty period and use for ceremony.Covered pot called "kum-cheng" of extremity in size, generally used for the storing boiled water. The biggest kum-cheng was also used to send "nasi kemuli" (spiced-cooked rice) on the third day of the wedding ceremory to the house of the in laws.

Magpies are a symbol of good fortune, so they are usually featured in items for birthdays and anniversaries. However, magpies in pairs symbolise marital bliss and fidelity. That’s why wedding ware has this symbol.