This “Red and Gold” umbrella stand is made possibly from teak or namwood, which is painted over with several layers of red lacquer. Open-work carvings are used here to form decorative motifs of flowers, leaves and a pair of birds. The motifs are then gilded with a thin covering of gold leaf, which enhances the aesthetic appeal of the piece. Teak was commonly used as it was the only wood in ready abundance in the Southeast Asian region in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Moreover, it was resistant to rot and easy to carve on. Such pieces could be made locally by Chinese craftsmen sent out to work in the Straits Settlements.
