STRAITS CHINESE CLOUD COLLAR LATE QING DYNASTY-REPUBLIC PERIOD, 19TH-20TH CENTURY 清末民初 娘惹刺繡雲肩 composed of four tiers embroidered with auspicious emblems including butterflies, peonies, phoenixes, and figures(30cm high)Provenance: Private Singaporean collectionFootnote: Note: Cloud collars or capes like such are worn as part of the wedding garments for Peranakan brides. Inspired by the neck feathers of the phoenix, the small, embroidered flaps overlap one another to create a layered effect. Compare with a five-layered cloud collar, dated early to mid-20th century, in the Peranakan Museum, Singapore, accession number 2011-01881