Title
Phoenix Medallion Ornament
Year/Period
early 20th century
Region
Singapore
Material
Dimension
Object size: 3.4 x 3.4 x 0.5 cm
Accession No.
2016-00890
Collection of
Credit Line
Gift of Winson Tan in memory of the late Edward Tan TL
This is a gold medallion ornament with a swooping phoenix in the centre. Phoenixes are important Chinese symbols that represent the female in a wedding. It is likely that this ornament was originally sewn onto a textile such as a ceremonial handkerchief or a wedding headband. Based on the shopmark on the reverse of the ornament, this was made by Da Xing (大興), one of the popular goldsmiths commissioned by Peranakans in the Straits to produce their jewellery and silverware.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.
