Wedding bed hanging

Wedding beds were some of the largest pieces of furniture to be found in the home of a wealthy Peranakan family. In addition to being ornately carved, all were often lavishly decorated with beadwork and embroidery. Embroidered and beadwork pieces used on the wedding bed also featured fertility motifs that reflected the hope for many heirs to the family name. This bed hanging has motifs of dragon and phoenix, both symbols of fertility.