Title
Handkerchief
Year/Period
Early 20th century
Region
Straits Settlements
Material
Technique
Dimension
Object size: 45.2 x 45 cm
Accession No.
2005-01398
Collection of
This piece of embroidered silk handkerchief uses the satin stitch on a yellow background. The satin stitch is a technique using a series of flat, parallel stitches to cover the background fabric. Blanket stitches are visible along the edges of the piece. The decorative design on this piece consists mainly of floral motifs and pairs of butterflies. Butterflies symbolise romance and love. Such pieces of embroidery were usually hand sewn by the Peranakan women themselves. The ability to create fine pieces of beadwork and embroidery was an expected skill of a Peranakan wife.
