This embroidered turquoise vest depicts a pair of mandarin ducks amidst a floral background. Couchings of gold threads are used here to fill up the decorative designs, thus forming a contrasting picture to the turquoise background. Couching refers to a technique where the threads are laid across the surface of the ground fabric and fastened in place with stitches of the same or different thread. Machine stitching is used to make the rest of the piece. The vest is also lined with rabbit fur around the collar, sleeves and the edges of the garment. This piece was probably commissioned and made in a Chinese workshop before being delivered to its Straits Chinese customer. This type of garment was typically worn by a page boy during a Chinese Peranakan wedding in Penang.The colours and motifs used here are also symbolic. For example, the pair of mandarin ducks symbolises a loving and affectionate marriage.
