A Peranakan Chinese gold 'tali pinggang'
Indonesian Archipelago, Straits Chinese, circa 1890-1910, marked MWL and with Chinese characters
L. 82 cm
Weight 620 grams
Provenance:
Collection of a Dutch Diplomat in the former Dutch East Indies; thence by descent
This gold Straits Chinese belt features a pending (belt buckle) and has linked panels decorated with auspicious motifs. The panels and the buckle were decorated using various metalworking techniques such as kerenchang (or kerenwang, meaning ‘piece work’), figured appliqué and repoussé. It has been suggested that belts with panels belonged to a later period, whereas earlier ceremonial belts were made with many interlocking links and rings.
Belts like the one present were worn by Nonyas (Peranakan women) on ceremonial occasions, as those for daily use were simple and relatively unadorned. The sheer weight of this belt shows it must have belonged to a wealthy family.
For another Peranakan gold belt, but overall set with diamonds, see the collection of the Peranakan Museum, Singapore (access.no. 2015-01994).
L. 82 cm
Weight 620 grams
Provenance:
Collection of a Dutch Diplomat in the former Dutch East Indies; thence by descent
This gold Straits Chinese belt features a pending (belt buckle) and has linked panels decorated with auspicious motifs. The panels and the buckle were decorated using various metalworking techniques such as kerenchang (or kerenwang, meaning ‘piece work’), figured appliqué and repoussé. It has been suggested that belts with panels belonged to a later period, whereas earlier ceremonial belts were made with many interlocking links and rings.
Belts like the one present were worn by Nonyas (Peranakan women) on ceremonial occasions, as those for daily use were simple and relatively unadorned. The sheer weight of this belt shows it must have belonged to a wealthy family.
For another Peranakan gold belt, but overall set with diamonds, see the collection of the Peranakan Museum, Singapore (access.no. 2015-01994).
