Title
Footstool
Year/Period
Early 20th century
Region
Found in Singapore
Object Type
Dimension
Object size: 17.5 x 31.5 x 29.5 cm
Accession No.
2024-01318
Collection of
This bangku kaku kahwen (ceremonial wedding footstool) features a lobed central medallion with two birds set against flowers, butterflies, and lions. Further birds and flowers decorate the borders. The motifs are worked in glass seed beads.Footstools like this were usually special commissions, and no two pairs are identical. They were often passed down as heirlooms, and used only during the weddings of family members.The practice of the bride and bridegroom placing their feet on footstools is attributed to the Malay custom of raja sehari, where the couple is treated like royalty on their wedding day.
