Traditional Nyonya wedding costume

 

A Baba Nyonya or Peranakan woman wore this elegant wedding costume during one of her marriage ceremonies about 80 to 100 years ago. Note the gold trimmings on the collar, sleeves and hem, as well as intricate floral embroidery on the entire costume, which is framed to prevent damage.

Asking price: RM3500

The Baba Nyonya were descendants of early Chinese immigrants during the 15th to 16th centuries to the Nusantara region, which include the British Straits Settlements of Singapore, Malacca and Penang. They partially adopted Malay customs in efforts to assimilate into the local communities. 

Weddings were steeped in complex rites and numerous ceremonies that would last up to 12 days. The marriage of Malacca's Sultan Mansur Syah to Princess Hang Li Poh from China in the mid-15th century greatly increased the social stature of the Baba Nyonya.