Martaban Aquarium Basin

Martaban basin or aquarium in sandstone decorated with slip of plants and phoenixes, the interior lined with celadon. Southeast Asia 19th/20th century. This basin, a style common in Peranakan houses, could be used to store water, cultivate plants or raise fish. They were found as much in kitchens as in courtyards and gardens. A comparable example is presented at the Peranakan Museum in Singapore (Formerly Asian Civilisation Museum) Diameter 75 cm x H 34 cm Approximately 30 kg. Provenance: Claude de Marteau Collection Sold with certificate of provenance. Shipped by carrier, packed on a wooden pallet. The Peranakans, descendants of Chinese traders settled in Southeast Asia, particularly in Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia, also used these Martaban jars in their daily lives. Imported via maritime trade routes, these jars were prized objects for their utility and durability. They were often incorporated into their homes to store supplies, which demonstrates the cultural and commercial interconnectedness of the region. See this Martaban aquarium vase in full screen mode on Vintage Addict