This black and gilded 'bakul siah' or lacquered bamboo baskets are decorated with Chinese figurative scenes. Such baskets were used to transport valuable wedding gifts during the lavish Peranakan 12-day wedding. These baskets would often be commissioned or purchased from China for the wedding and used in pairs. They would often contain items such as silk and cotton garments, beadwork, jewellery and other auspicious items and were possibly used in the 'lap chai' or gift exchange ceremony.
