Nyonya Needlework: Embroidery and Beadwork in the Peranakan World

Cheah Hwei-Fe’n examines parallel techniques of embroidery, work with gold thread, lace, and drawn needlework in this profusely illustrated catalogue to accompany an exhibition at the Peranakan Museum, Singapore, held from 24 June 2016 to 18 June 2017. In her careful analysis of the techniques associated with Peranakan objects, she reveals a complex network of cultural connections. The various types of needlework were practised by women and men, and drew upon techniques from Europe, India, China, and the Malay world. Religious and secular schools taught the techniques. There are many cross-cultural surprises within: gold embroidery derives not only from European military brocade but from ancient Chinese thread techniques of gold strips wrapped around paper. And many other techniques were long practised in remote islands of the Malay Archipelago.