Curtain tiebacks are made up of two separate pieces of embroideries sewn together. The upper section is done using the Malay ‘tekat’ or ‘sulam timbul’ work. This is a raised embroidery work using gold and silver metallic threads. The lower section is created using the satin stitch. This piece uses the voided satin stitch. The technique of stitching appears to be the most common type of Straits Chinese beadwork. Hanging from the bottom of this piece are beadwork tassels. Curtain tiebacks were common in the bridal chamber. This piece is adorned with brightly coloured floral motifs. At the centre of the upper section is a pair of peony flowers and phoenixes. Peonies represented good fortune while the pair of phoenix represented the wedding couple.
