Peranakan Museum Receives BNP Paribas Sponsorship For Conservation of Rare Beadwork Tablecloth

One of the Peranakan Museum’s iconic artefacts, the beadwork tablecloth is back after undergoing conservation work sponsored by BNP Paribas Singapore Branch and BNP Paribas Foundation.This event marks the first time that the National Heritage Board has received a donation specifically for the conservation of an artefact.

The rare beadwork tablecloth which dates back to the early 20th century, is one of the world’s largest and finest examples of Peranakan beadwork has never been displayed in its entirety. Due to damage and wear and tear, its tassled fringe had always been tucked in and hidden from view. The tablecloth measures approximately 1.6m x 1.6m and is composed of more than one million faceted glass beads, which would have been imported from Europe. Beadwork items like this were usually made in Penang as special commissions from wealthy Peranakan Chinese families, to be used during weddings. They were either made by the Peranakan ladies themselves or by professional Chinese beadworkers.

The European influence extends to the design of the tablecloth, which features birds and flowers in a distinctly Victorian style. A closer examination will reveal more than twenty different flowers, many of them adopted from English pattern books, like the Camellia, Dahlia, Violet, Tea-rose, Morning Glory, Lily-of-thevalley, Forget-me-not and the Briar Rose.

For the work on the tablecloth, conservators from a well-known UK company specialising in the restoration of fine art objects were flown in. Over a period of 5 weeks, the conservators worked at securing and repairing the beadwork tassels and fringe and reinforcing the backing of the tablecloth. The successful conservation of the piece means that visitors can now appreciate the full beauty of the beadwork tablecloth, for the first time.

The Peranakan beadwork tablecloth will be on display at the lobby of the Peranakan Museum for a limited period till 23 July 2009. Thereafter, it will be kept in storage to be rested, in preparation for its journey to Paris for the Peranakan Museum’s exhibition at Musée du Quai Branly in October 2010.