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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).

Narrative

This dish is part of a collection of Chinese ceramics found in burial context in the Philippines and was excavated in Lumban, Laguna Province, Philippines.

Cultural Context

exchange; status; ceremonial; mortuary

Description

A small shallow dish with break in rim and neat square cut foot. Except for the foot and underside, the dish is glazed heavily in shiny white with a bluish hue. The exposed body is yellowish brown. The centre is moulded with a floral? and dragon? design much of which is ill-defined and indiscernible. A floral scroll pattern is more evident on the cavetto. Pits in glaze on interior and exterior of plate. A set of inked letter and numbers is written on the underside.

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. Shu-fu ware in the Philippines context is described, by Addis, as being manufactured in Jingdezhen in the county of Fuliang in China, and as having at least two of the following characteristics: slip decoration in the interior impressed by a mould; a neat, splayed, square-cut foot and an opaque, milky, pale bluish-white glaze (p.4-5). Addis dates Shu-fu ware to the Yuan dynasty (1260-1368) and perhaps later. 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.