These red envelopes were used in the Sang Jit or ‘Exchange of Gifts’ ceremony, which usually took place on an auspicious day before the wedding. They accompanied gifts, and have titles in Chinese such as ‘Engagement Tribute’ and ‘Dowry Tribute’. These red envelopes are part of the wedding documents concerning the marriage of Pang Choon Jin (1908-1971) and Chew Teck Neo (1912-2001). The groom was the grandson of an eminent translator of Chinese classics into Baba Malay, Pang Teck Joon (1845 – 1928), while the bride was the granddaughter of the prominent businessman Chew Boon Lay (1852 – 1933).Exchange of wedding gifts was an elaborate affair for wealthy Peranakan families in the Straits Settlements (Singapore, Malacca and Penang) during the late 19th to early 20th century. The families would have a grand procession of gift bearers bearing trays of symbolic gifts to mark the union between two families.
