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Tea tray

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

Accession No.

2011-01535

Collection of

Asian Civilisations Museum

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.