Title
Pair of bolster ends
Year/Period
Late 19th-early 20th century
Region
Palembang, South Sumatra
Dimension
Object size: L 12.5 x W 11.5
Accession No.
1997-04716
Collection of
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Andy Ng
These two octagonal shaped pieces of beadwork are bolster ends, used by Peranakan Chinese to decorate the wedding bed. These pieces feature colourful floral designs on red velvet. It is believed that the ancestors of the Peranakan Chinese had adopted the use of pillow and bolster ends on the wedding bed from the local population. These were part of the wedding bed ornaments that were sewn by the bride to be inspected by the ladies of her prospective husband’s family. Other than pillow and bolster ends, slippers worn by Peranakan women are also beaded.
