Title
Sideboard
Year/Period
Early 20th century
Region
Malacca, Straits Settlements
Object Type
Material
Technique
Dimension
Object size: 289.0 x 189.5 x 70.5 cm
Accession No.
2019-00683
Collection of
Credit Line
Gift of the three children of Louis Tan Tiang Hong and Mary Low Suan Neo
Typical of Peranakan furniture, this sideboard combines European structure and Chinese decoration. Carved on two posts are the Eight Immortals, Daoist deities associated with longevity and protection against evil. The large mirror on the backboard is a feature that was popular in Victorian England. According to the family, the sideboard belonged to their ancestor Tan Siang Long, who migrated from Fujian province, China, to Dutch-controlled Malacca. The sideboard remained in the family's ancestral home at 13 Jonker Street (now Jalan Hang Jebat), until it was brought with them to Singapore.
