Title
Candlestick rests
Year/Period
c.1900
Region
Malacca
Material
Technique
Dimension
Unknown Type: Please refer to parts
Accession No.
2005-01402
Collection of
This set consists of a pair of red and yellow candlestick rests. Seed beads made of coloured glass or ‘Rocaille beads’ are stitched one by one onto patterns copied on velvet. This is done with the aid of an embroidery frame known as ‘pidangan’. The red candlestick rests have decorative designs of a floral pattern, possibly peony blossoms which are symbols of wealth and prosperity. The yellow candlestick rests consists of decorative designs of butterflies and fruits created from the brightly coloured beads. These pieces were largely hand sewn by the Peranakan women themselves. This art of beadwork and embroidery was a domestic skill which was expected of the womenfolk and displayed their skill and patience of character.
