This small cape is worn on the shoulders over the wedding garments of Peranakan brides. The cape consists of small embroidered flaps which overlapped one another. This cape which represents the neck feathers of the phoenix was hooked up at the front. Auspicious motifs such as the phoenix is favoured by the Peranakan Chinese as it symbol of the empress. Peranakan brides were considered 'queen for a day' following the Malay tradition, where the wedding couple is treated like royalty for the day.Bridal wedding garments of a style like this were predominantly used by the Peranakans of Malacca and Singapore from the late 19th century to the early 20th century.
