hans tan studio: spotted nyonya porcelain vessel for FARM

hans tan studio: spotted nyonya porcelain vessel for FARM

singaporean design studio hans tan studio has developed ‘spotted nyonya’, an industrial re-interpretation of the nyonya porcelain vessels which are traditional domestic wares native to chinese-peranakans in south asia. produced in collaboration with singaporean creative agency FARM, this contemporary take on the traditional objects transforms the original multicolored surface treatment into a new dotted pattern. the limited edition series of vessels utilizes the resist-dyeing technique that is often applied to dye fabric patterns. hans tan masks the porcelain pieces with the new dotted motif, which is then sandblasted, so that the areas protected are preserved, while the original glazed sections of the exposed areas are erased, revealing the white porcelain which lies beneath.

‘spotted nyonya’ was first presented at the fall 2011 edition of maison et objet in paris as part of the ‘now! design à vivre’ show. designboom was chosen by maison et objet to select the best project on display as part of this design sector of the fair, acknowledging innovative products and the best new comers to the scene and awarding the winning project the distinction of ‘les découvertes’ (meaning: the discovered, inventions …). ‘spotted nyonya’ was our top choice!

you may see our full designboom top 10 of ‘NOW design à vivre’ coverage here.

detail

detail

storage jar

candle stick

various pieces of the ‘spotted nonya’ series

masking out the pieces with the dotted pattern which is then sandblast

sandblasting process

dotted mask pattern waiting to be removed

removing the circles