Title
Pink dress with black bird details
Year/Period
Early 20th century
Region
Singapore
Object Type
Material
Technique
Dimension
Object size: Part 001: 60.5 x 71.0 x 2.5 cm,
Object size: Part 002: 59.0 x 70.0 x 1.5 cm
Object size: Part 002: 59.0 x 70.0 x 1.5 cm
Accession No.
2019-00600
Collection of
Credit Line
Gift of the Lim Family in memory of Edna Chong Kim Neo
Black birds are a recurring motif found on this pink dress, embroidered onto the collar and around the skirt. Sewing machines were widely available in the Malay Archipelago since the late 19th century. In Singapore, Robinsons and Company announced its appointment as the sole agent of Singer sewing machines in 1883. This dress was made by Chong Kim Neo (1916-1972) for her niece, the donor. She made beaded slippers and garments from her home as she did not own a shop.
