Dark red beaded purse

Title

Year/Period

Late 19th or early 20th century

Region

Indonesia

Material

Glass beads, cotton thread, velvet

Dimension

Object size: 9.3 x 13.3 x 2.6 cm (folded),
Object size: 2.6 x 13.3 x 23.0 cm (unfolded)

Accession No.

2015-02090

Collection of

Peranakan Museum

This dark red velvet and beaded wallet is decorated by flowers and birds, in this case, a rooster. It is possible that this wallet belonged to a Peranakan bride who was born in the year of the rooster. This rectangular wallet is folded inward three times, with the top flap being cut into a semi-circular shape, secured with a pressed-stud.This is an important and diverse collection of Peranakan Chinese beadwork and embroidery from Indonesia. It contains unusual forms of beadwork and embroidery and are reflective of the fondness that Peranakan Chinese throughout Southeast Asia have for bright colours and ornate decorations.