A Sino‒Thai Blue-and-White Porcelain at UMMA

Abstract

A blue-and-white porcelain lidded bottle housed at the University of Michigan Museum of Art stands as a significant representative from a collection of late 19th-century tea sets crafted in China for the Siamese court. This brief examination delves into crucial visual cues, such as the bottle’s distinct ringed-neck shape, incorporation of typical Chinese auspicious motifs, depictions of Siamese coinage and royal monograms from the Rama V period in its decorative patterns, and the presence of a Chinese-language hallmark on its base. These visual elements and inscriptions collectively unveil insights into the bottle’s purpose, origins, and its broader significance within the realm of Sino–Thai ceramics.