This is a skirt made up of two pieces, a frontal panel and a back panel joined together at the waist by strings. It is made possibly from red silk with the decorative motifs done using silk threads and gold thread couching. The motifs include a dragon done using gold thread and purple and green floral motifs. Dragons are seldom seen in Peranakan embroidery, the phoenix being the more common motif. The dragon is a symbol of vigilance, security, protection and good fortune. This piece could be part of the ceremonial costume worn by the bride during the traditional 12 day Peranakan wedding, the other being a T-shaped garment with broad, straight sleeves that reached a little below the knees. These embroidered garments were usually done in China by skilled, professional embroiderers and then exported to their Straits Chinese customers.
