Title
Panel
Year/Period
Early 20th century
Region
Straits Settlements
Technique
Dimension
Object size: 22 x 17 cm
Accession No.
2005-01406
Collection of
This beaded embroidered panel is a piece of unfinished slipper tops. It uses the technique of threading to create distinct decorative motifs on a fabric background. Coloured glass ‘seed beads’ or ‘Rocaille beads’ are threaded together to form two cream coloured swans on water. Swans mate for life. Thus a pair of swans symbolises love and faithfulness in a marriage. The fabric base of these slippers would be attached to a ‘pidangan’ or wooden embroidery frame using a piece of thick string and adjusted to the right tension. This would ensure the even sewing of stitches or anchoring of glass beads. Once the designs were completed, the slipper faces were sent to the cobbler to be made into slippers.
