A Brief History of Porcelain in Singapore
An enduring symbol of purity and perfection, blue-and-white porcelain has captured the imagination of many across the globe through time, including Southeast Asia.
Originally invented in China, this type of ceramic ware is characterised by its masterful application of cobalt blue pigment — produced in Yunnan province or imported from the Middle East — as an underglaze decoration on an immaculate, white porcelain body.
14 - 15th Century
Singapura (or Temasek) was a thriving emporium, standing at the door of traders from China, India and Java. One of the prized possessions was none other than blue-and-white porcelain, as its sublime colour, material and form had left many enamoured.
Sherds from this exquisite form of ceramics were found on the island during archeological excavations, including a stem-cup that dates to the Chinese Yuan dynasty (1271-1368).
16th - 17th Century
Blue-and-white porcelain sherds uncovered within the Kallang Basin trace back to the Wanli era (1573-1620) of the Ming Dynasty. A pear-shaped vase and a large dish were found within the same site, with motifs depicting landscapes and narratives from classic Chinese novels like Sanguo Yanyi (Romance of the Three Kingdoms). All of these artefacts were part of the Johor River trade, which was largely influenced by the sultans.
19th Century
Southeast Asian demand for porcelain continued to climb, and Chinese blue-and-white ceramics were widely adopted in Southeast Asia. Mass-produced, block-printed ‘economy’ porcelain, referred to as Kitchen Qing, was exported to the region. Commonly used in the home, these wares were used as food storage, crockery and utensils.
A more exquisite iteration was known as Shanghai Ware. It was purposed for tableware, receptacles on ancestral altars and vessels required for special occasions like Chinese New Year.
21st Century
In 2013, Supermama’s inaugural collection of blue-and-white porcelain was awarded Design of the Year at the President’s Design Award, Singapore’s foremost design accolade. Incorporating quotidian icons and buildings on the patina, such as cranes as part of the metropolis’s skyline, the collection was lauded for elevating the quality of local souvenirs.
The evolution of our journey culminates in Singapore Blue — a selection of well-made porcelain inspired by Singapore’s heritage and transformation. As we seek to expand the possibilities of ceramics design, we believe that we might just be standing at the cusp of a resurgent appreciation for blue-and-white porcelain.