Title
Filigree butterfly
Year/Period
early 20th century
Region
Singapore
Material
Dimension
Object size: 0.8 x 1.3 x 0.3 cm
Accession No.
2016-00820
Collection of
Credit Line
Gift of Winson Tan in memory of the late Edward Tan TL
This is a filigree butterfly. It is small but the workmanship is intricate. It is likely that it was originally sewn onto a textile such as a ceremonial handkerchief or a wedding headband. Butterflies are auspicious Chinese symbols for weddings as they represent conjugal felicity.This ornament is part of a group donation from descendants of Tan Kim Seng and Tan Jiak Kim. Both were wealthy merchants, philanthropists and leaders of the local Hokkien community.
