Title
Women dressed in sarongs
Year/Period
Early 20th century
Region
Singapore
Object Type
Material
Dimension
Image size: 27.3 x 21.5 cm
Accession No.
1993-00285-043
Collection of
The placement of the ‘tepak sireh’ (betel set) beside the seated woman shows the European photographer’s lack of understanding towards local customs. The tepak sireh is traditionally used as a sign of welcome and played a significant role in court ceremonies at the time. The juxtaposition of the tepak sireh with the banal act of preparing for a bath is an anomaly.
