This wardrobe is crowned with an exuberant panel of carved foliage which terminates on both ends with a Chinese lion and ball. Rearing horses flank a single ovolo moulding, their wings outstretched as if on the verge of taking flight. The mixture of European and Chinese influences is characteristic of furniture favoured by Peranakans particularly during the late 19th to mid-20th century. These were made of teak, which is a material native to Southeast Asia, and easily carved to produce intricate fretwork like the crown of this cupboard and its window panels. Such wardrobes were given to brides as part of their trousseau.
