Title
Tea tray
Year/Period
Late 19th-early 20th centuries
Region
Straits Settlements and Indonesia
Dimension
Gross measurement: H: 2.4,
x W: 28.1,
x D: 26.0cm
x W: 28.1,
x D: 26.0cm
Accession No.
2011-01535
Collection of
Tea trays such as this example were only used in traditional Straits Chinese wedding ceremonies. They were produced in a variety of shapes and sizes for serving cups of tea to guests. It was customary for the bride to serve tea to her in-laws and elderly relatives from both sides of the families. The colours and the auspicious phoenix and peony motifs are an indication of their exclusive use for these special occasions.
