Title
Auspicious basket
Year/Period
Early 20th century
Region
China, found in Singapore
Object Type
ceremonial containers, bakul siah
Material
bamboo (material), gold leaf, lacquer (material), silver leaf
Technique
weaving, gilding (technique)
Dimension
Object size: 39 x 40 x 75 cm
Accession No.
2014-00928
Collection of
NLB Type
Lacquerware
This auspicious basket is gilded in silver and gold, unlike others of its kind. Motifs of cranes and prunus can be found within its cartouches. Both are symbols of longevity and they point to the use of auspicious baskets as containers of birthday gifts to be presented to one’s elders. Contained within these tiers would have been red candles, rice vermicelli, eggs, rock sugar and a red packet. Baskets of this sort were also known by the Baba Malay name ‘Bakul Siah’ and similar types expressly made for the purposes of Peranakan marriage rituals.
