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Cultural Context

exchange; status; ceremonial; mortuary

Description

A miniature blue and white bowl with everted rim and a prominent foot which is squarely cut. The exterior surface is decorated with two sprays of chrysanthemums with spiral centres and windblown leaves. A single chrysanthemum adorns the centre while a leaf-like motif circles the interior rim. All decorations are in underglazed blue. The foot ring is shallow and bevelled. The centre of the bottom raises to a peak. Left unglazed, the foot ring and underside reveal a buff-coloured clay body.

Narrative

This bowl is part of a collection of Chinese ceramics found in burial context in the Philippines and was excavated at a burial site in Leyte Province, Philippines. Repairs were done by specialists employed by archaeologists and the Philippines National Museum. They were artists by training.

Iconographic Meaning

In many indigenous groups of the Philippines, supernatural power was attributed to Chinese ceramics because of the ringing sound emitted when lightly tapped and their vitreous, shiny glazed surfaces which impart an impermeable quality. The ringing sound was seen as a magical voice able to attract the attention of powerful ancestor spirits. Their impermeable and seemingly imperishable surfaces were believed to have great protective power against all kinds of influences, from evil spirits to poisons (Langrick, p. 55-56). The chrysanthemum is a symbol in China of autumn and friendship and is used extensively as decoration.

History Of Use

Chinese ceramics were important trade items in southeast Asia during the 11th-16th centuries and became fully integrated with ideology and ritual in Philippine societies, playing an important role in all aspects of cultural life (Langrick, p.61). Their functions were varied and included utilitarian, ceremonial and religious roles as heirlooms, and in mortuary ceremonies as burial goods and items of prestige. Chinese ceramics constitute the vast majority of burial goods excavated in the Philippines. Buried with the deceased, they acted as indicators of wealth, protected the departing spirit from evil and serving as provisions for the afterlife. Turned-over plates and bowls were used to cover certain parts of the body, establishing a protective area. In addition, many excavated ceramics were miniaturized replicas of larger, functional vessels--symbolic substitutes for provisions for the afterlife. In addition, small jarlets and bottles and other containers were used for ritual substances (oils, herbs, aromatic resins) and for food offerings necessary for the departing spirit. Most of the trade ceramics excavated in the Philippines show little or no evidence of usage before burial. Addis dates early blue and white wares excavated in the Philippines to prior to 1400, and originating from the town of Jingdezhen in the southern Chinese county of Fuliang. Blue and white ceramics were important export wares for the southeast Asian market. From the condition of trade ceramics shown in published sources and the Tecson collection, it appears that most of the wares were kiln seconds, or rejects. They were nevertheless regarded with high esteem and actively traded.