Lidded box, from set of funerary offerings

This paper-covered cardboard box, bought from a funerary goods supplier in Singapore, is the container for a set of paper and cardboard offerings for a man. The offerings represent a full set of symbolic possessions for the afterlife.

The box is of cardboard, with a decorated paper covering to make it look like an ornate wooden chest. The lid lifts off. On the front is a label with a character which reads 'man', indicating that the goods are for a dead man.

These symbolic possessions are burned in a night-time Daoist funerary ceremony, several weeks after the deceased's cremation. It is a widespread contemporary tradition in south-east Asia. The cardboard items are burned to ensure a comfortable afterlife.

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Online ID:	000-190-004-214-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland K.1999.1163 B
Date:	1999 1999
Material:	Cardboard; paper, red; patterned Cardboard; paper, red; patterned
Dimensions:	102 mm H x 600 mm L x 375 mm W 382 mm H x 570 mm L x 352 mm W
What:	Box Box lid
Subject:	Paper offering Paper offering
Who:
Where:	Singapore Singapore
Event:
Description:	Cardboard box covered in red patterned paper, contained paper offerings for a man, which would be burnt at the graveside as an offering to ancestors: Singapore, 1999 Cardboard lid for box covered in red patterned paper, contained paper offerings for a man, which would be burnt at the graveside as an offering to ancestors: Singapore, 1999
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