Singapore Collectors Series: Everything About David Yip's Canton Porcelain Pieces

From tableware to jewellery and even tea, three collectors share how their respective assemblage of cultural objects offer a slice of history of the region and beyond. In the first of a three part series, David Yip gives us a peek into his collection of Canton porcelain pieces from the 19th century to mid-1900s

A truly wonderful dining experience goes beyond a thoughtfully curated menu, says David Yip. For the chef, restaurateur and food journalist, it is the tableware that sets the tone and mood of the meal. “It shows implicit respect for the guest and also makes a great conversation subject and enriches the entire experience.”

Above David Yip at home, where he often entertains guests

The seasoned host is the owner of a Guangcai famille rose set of classic Canton porcelain pieces dating back to the 19th century. But that’s not all, as his two cabinets of porcelain objets d’art also include Geisha lithophane sets from pre- and post-World War II as well as a set of 24 karat gold cutlery from the early 1900s, among many others.

The Guangcai famille rose set was manufactured in Jingdezhen, a city in the Jiangxi province renowned for its high-quality porcelain, and boasts various unique hand-painted designs produced during the Qing dynasty in Guangzhou. The Geisha lithophane is a white porcelain decorated with a moulded Geisha design.

Yip ran the now-defunct restaurants Bar of Soup, Shiok and underground bar 37+ in Hong Kong, so a meal prepared by him is always a treat. He pulls out all the stops and spares no expense when it comes to serving his best dishes on exquisite chinaware. He shares his affinity with food growing up and why he learnt to cook, along with the next porcelain piece he has his eyes on.

Above A peek into David Yip’s extensive collection of classic Canton porcelain, which come in various shapes and silhouettes.

What are some of the highlights of your culinary journey?

David Yip (DY) I ate well as a kid and grew up surrounded by food in the kitchen of a Chinese restaurant as my paternal family used to have a full-time Cantonese chef who cooked the main family meals when we entertained. As an adult, I travelled widely and gradually harboured a fear that I would not be able to eat the dishes I loved in the future, so I learned to cook them from my family members, my grandmother’s domestic helpers, as well as professional chefs. Those experiences laid a solid foundation for my food preferences and palate. But the milestone of my culinary career was when I left corporate life in Singapore to set up my first restaurant in Hong Kong. The city had an extremely challenging and competitive business environment, ever-changing with diners who knew their food very well and endured no nonsense. It was then that I learned to be on my toes so I could stay one step ahead of the competition.

How did you come to collect these classic Canton porcelain pieces?

DY My family loved to entertain, so we frequently had friends and business associates over at our house for drinks and meals. Lots of planning went into these gatherings; minute details were not spared, such as chinaware and table setting, which were usually elaborate. My grandmother often used her Guangcai famille rose set of chinaware for dinner, and the Geisha lithophane for afternoon tea.

Little of this chinaware remained after she passed away so I decided to build my own collection one set at a time, sourcing from all over the world. Flea markets, collectors’ homes and auction houses are but some places I look for them. It took me more than 15 years to amass my collection, partly because the pieces were so expensive.

What makes this tableware so special?

DY The Guangcai famille rose collection has an interesting history dating back to the 19th century. The chinaware was manufactured in Jingdezhen, a city in the Jiangxi province renowned for its high‑quality porcelain. The pieces were hand-painted in Guangzhou and much later in Hong Kong. They were also strictly exported to Southeast Asia, Europe, and even the US. The pieces in the set would differ according to the western or Asian market; the former is typically defined by its finer, more minute details, while the latter features less elaborate paintings of local characteristics.

Do you think that tableware plays a part in telling the story of the food you serve?

DY Such tableware sets the tone and mood of the meal. It shows implicit respect for the guest and also makes a great conversation subject and enriches the entire experience. Obviously, I will also plan the menu according to the type and design of the set, ensuring the pieces visually complement the food and displays it to the best advantage.

What are you looking for next?

DY I’ve become drawn to chinaware with oriental designs produced in European countries of late, such as dinnerware pieces from the Johnson Brothers (part of the Waterford Wedgwood Group) which discontinued its production in 2015. Another range I’m looking at is the Delft pattern by Royal Minton, produced during the late 19th century.

Also featured in the Singapore Collectors Series: Why This Jewellery Designer Donated a 75-Carat Diamond and Gold Belt From His Personal Collection | Meet The Ceramic Artist Who Collects Tea and Teaware from The Ming and Qing Dynasties

Topics

Collectors in Singapore Canton porcelain pieces Geisha Lithophane David Yip Singapore restauranteur food journalist private dining Singapore

Tatler Asia

Singapore Collectors Series: Everything About David Yip's Canton Porcelain Pieces