Title
Semi-Circle Filigree Ornament
Year/Period
early 20th century
Region
Singapore
Material
Dimension
Object size: 1.4 x 10.5 x 2.9 cm
Accession No.
2016-00913
Collection of
Credit Line
Gift of Winson Tan in memory of the late Edward Tan TL
This semi-circle ornament is created almost entirely of filigree work. It is decorated by mythical creatures like a pair of phoenixes and a pair of qilin. The ornament is also decorated with flowers and a pair of insects. A holder is attached to the back of the ornament, suggesting that it might have been used to top a hairpin. 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.
