Title
Cabinet
Year/Period
Late 19th or early 20th century
Region
Acquired in Singapore
Object Type
Material
Dimension
Object size: 267.7 x 173.0 x 50.0 cm
Accession No.
2023-00184
Collection of
Originating from the bungalow at River Valley Road known as Panglima Prang, this cabinet is decorated with carvings of dragons and phoenixes, traditional symbols of the groom and bride, respectively, as well as lions, which were associated with protection. Popular among Peranakans, “brown and gold” furniture like this is characterised by the use of teak, combination of European and Chinese influences, and fine gilding. Panglima Prang was the home of leading Peranakan merchant and philanthropist Tan Kim Seng (1805–1864) and six generations of his family, including Tan Beng Swee, Tan Jiak Kim, and Tan Soo Bin. It was built around 1860 and demolished in 1982.
