Title
Pair of wedding chairs
Year/Period
Late 19th or early 20th century
Region
China
Object Type
Technique
Dimension
Gross measurement: 53.0 x 47.0 x 126.0 cm,
Object size: Refer to parts
Object size: Refer to parts
Accession No.
2023-00318
Collection of
Wedding chairs have high backs and lack armrests. Often lacquered red and gilded, they were fitted with embroidered covers for wedding celebrations. The splats of this pair of chairs feature storks, a symbol of longevity. Each cresting centres on carvings of two dragons on either side of the flaming jewel (如意宝珠) which represents spiritual wealth in Buddhism. These chairs could have been used for the tea ceremony which was held on the third day of the traditional twelve-day Peranakan wedding. Parents and family elders sat on the wedding chairs while they were served tea by the bride and groom.
