Victorian style mirrors such as these would have adorned the halls or interiors of an affluent Peranakan house in the late 19th century to early 20th century. The choice of such a style for home furniture reflects the owner’s high social standing and possibly some connectedness to the colonial society then. Teak, a kind of hardwood was used for furniture in the tropics due to its durability, toughness and resistance to termites and insects. Its strength meant that it did not warp easily and could be used to make large furniture such as this mirror ledge.
