This three seater settee is an example of European style furniture favoured by the Peranakan communities. Such furniture was usually made locally out of teak, which was readily available in Southeast Asia. This taste for European style furniture was in line with the prevailing fashion for such furniture in the Straits Settlements from the late 19th century onwards. This piece takes after the Chippendale style in terms of its pierced splat backs, scrolling foliage and cabriole legs. However, unlike the Chippendale chairs, they have cane seats (useful for humid tropical weather) instead of upholstered seats. Most Chippendale chairs do not have armrests but Peranakan versions of such chairs usually do, as they were meant mainly as hallway furniture rather than as dining furniture.
