This is an elaborate headdress for a Peranakan Chinese bride from Penang. It is composed of several individual gilt silver pieces, many of which are decorated with kingfisher feathers. It features the auspicious Chinese motifs of Pek Sian (Eight Immortals) and the three stellar gods of Hock, Lock and Siew. The headdress was made in China and in a style similar to traditional Chinese ones.The head is considered the most sacred part of the body. As such, headdresses are one of the few places where deity motifs would be found. Auspicious and protective motifs of deities were frequently employed on Peranakan wedding headdresses to protect the wearer from malevolent spiritual forces as they went through various wedding rites.
