This plain ceramic stove was one of three objects found in a joint grave at Bukit Brown Cemetery. The practice of burying everyday objects (including miniaturised versions) and more luxurious items with the deceased originated in ancient China and continued to be observed by overseas Chinese communities. These objects were intended to satisfy the needs of the deceased and/or provide them with a comfortable afterlife.The grave belonged to Mr Wang Yingcheng王营成 and his wife. According to the inscriptions on the tombstones, Mrs Wang passed away in 1851 and Mr Wang in 1858. It is unknown when their remains were transferred to Bukit Brown. Located in the central part of Singapore, Bukit Brown Cemetery was officially opened on 1 January 1922 by the British colonial government as a public cemetery for non-Christian Chinese. It came to house an estimated 100,000 graves before it was officially closed to burials in 1973.
