Title
Chair cover
Year/Period
Early 20th century
Region
Penang
Material
Technique
Dimension
Object size: H196.4 x W65cm x Thickness 3.5cm
Accession No.
2005-01558
Collection of
Embroidered silk chair covers like these, also known as 'keoris tutup', were used by the Peranakan families of Penang to dress up chairs for special occasions or festivals. It is decorated with motifs popular with the Peranakans such as the phoenix, peony and qilin (a Chinese mythical creature). The phoenix is often paired with the peony on Peranakan objects. It is a symbol of the empress and benevolence. The peony is a motif of spring, and symbolises feminine beauty, prosperity and nobility while the qilin is a symbol of virility. These chair covers usually come in sets of eight.
