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Actions Displays	Details Remove from selection Add to selection CollectionStraits Chinese Collection Object numberB2008-0021-001-0 TitleHigh-Backed Blackwood Bench DescriptionBesides the pieces with mother-of-pearl inlay, furniture like this settee was also used in Peranakan homes. The surface of such furniture is covered with carvings, but because of the monochrome black finish, the motifs are camouflaged and only evident to those who play close attention. A stalk of padi is carved on each side of the settee’s front apron. Rice is the main staple in Chinese society and the term ‘grain’ is invariably associated with grains of rice. Grain (禾) is pronounced as he and is a homophone of 和 (he) meaning peace, and 合 (he) for togetherness. The padi stalk in this instance symbolises the attributes of peace and unity. The deer and crane, both symbols of longevity, are carved on the settee’s backrest. In Chinese folklore, the deer is believed to be the only creature able to find the elusive lingzhi fungus, and is shown here holding a stalk of the plant in its mouth. (NUS Baba House, Architecture and Artefacts of a Straits Chinese Home, Page 72-73). Object categoryFurniture MaterialWood Dimensions H: 99.5 cm L: 189.8 cm D: 62 cm Credit lineGift of Wee Lin

Object numberB2008-0021-001-0

TitleHigh-Backed Blackwood Bench

DescriptionBesides the pieces with mother-of-pearl inlay, furniture like this settee was also used in Peranakan homes. The surface of such furniture is covered with carvings, but because of the monochrome black finish, the motifs are camouflaged and only evident to those who play close attention. A stalk of padi is carved on each side of the settee’s front apron. Rice is the main staple in Chinese society and the term ‘grain’ is invariably associated with grains of rice. Grain (禾) is pronounced as he and is a homophone of 和 (he) meaning peace, and 合 (he) for togetherness. The padi stalk in this instance symbolises the attributes of peace and unity. The deer and crane, both symbols of longevity, are carved on the settee’s backrest. In Chinese folklore, the deer is believed to be the only creature able to find the elusive lingzhi fungus, and is shown here holding a stalk of the plant in its mouth. (NUS Baba House, Architecture and Artefacts of a Straits Chinese Home, Page 72-73).

Object categoryFurniture

MaterialWood

Dimensions

H: 99.5 cm
L: 189.8 cm
D: 62 cm

Credit lineGift of Wee Lin

Details