A PEDLAR OF BATIK
Singapore/Malaysia
Late 19th-early 20th Century
Collection of the National Museum of Singapore
1991-00382
A Malay batik pedlar sells his wares to a prospecting customer. Hawking drinks, food, handicraft and various products was one of the many pavement occupations for common folk to earn a living in the early days.
SARONG
Pekalongan, Java
Late 19th-early 20th century :
Textile
Collection of Asian Civilisations Museum
1997-04174
Gift of Mr and Mrs Andy Ng
This sarong would have been worn by a nyonya (Peranakan woman) under a kebaya. The decoration features large floral bouquets with butterflies and birds. Nyonya-style sarongs are known for their bright and colourful designs, in shades of orange, yellow, pink and mauve, made possibly by chemical dyes imported from Europe in the 19th Century.