This phoenix ornament in inlaid with rose cut diamonds (intan in Baba Malay) on its body. Phoenixes are important Chinese symbols which represent the female in a wedding. It is likely that this ornament was originally sewn onto a textile such as a ceremonial handkerchief or a wedding headband.This ornament is part of a group donation from descendants of Tan Kim Seng and Tan Jiak Kim. Both were wealthy merchants, philanthropists and leaders of the local Hokkien community.
