This is a piece of partially finished beadwork panel. It uses the technique of petit point beadwork in which the needle worker uses coloured beads to stitch out patterns drawn onto square paper. The beads used are possibly glass ‘seed beads’ or ‘Rocaille beads’. These were largely imported from European countries such as England and Italy. Such bead embroidery was usually done on velvet or plain weave cotton and required the use of a frame or ‘pidangan’. This piece uses various coloured beads to create decorative motifs of birds (possibly phoenix) and flowers. The phoenix was an auspicious symbol that represented high virtue. There is also a distinct border created along the edges of the piece using black and white beads. Bead tassels also hang from one of the lengths. This panel was possibly used as a curtain tie back or a mattress runner among other uses.
