Wedding ornaments

Title
Wedding ornaments
Year/Period
Early 20th century
Region
Java, Indonesia
Dimension
refer ro parts
Accession No.
2002-00651
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. Edmond Chin

This pair of phoenix ornaments was used during Javanese Peranakan weddings. They might have been used on the wedding bed as decorative pieces. The phoenix is an auspicious symbol that is sometimes seen paired with the peony or dragon. It is also perceived as a symbol of the empress and of benevolence. The Chinese Peranakan community in Indonesia is mainly found in the coastal city of Palembang and the north coast cities of Java. They were a migrant community and have adopted many local Javanese practices.