Tube of toothpaste and toothbrush, from set of funerary offerings

This paper tube of toothpaste and cardboard toothbrush, bought from a funerary goods supplier in Singapore, is from a boxed set of paper and cardboard offerings for a man. The offerings represent a full set of possessions for the afterlife.

The paper tube is printed with 'DARLIE', a negro head and 'HAWLEY AND HAZE'. This is a real toothpaste brand in south-east Asia; its name had been changed from 'DARKIE' to avoid racist overtones. The toothbrush is made of cardboard.

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.

Record details

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Online ID:	000-190-002-303-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland K.1999.1168
Date:	1999
Material:	Card; paper, black and white
Dimensions:	34 mm H x 160 mm L x 50 mm W
What:	Toothpaste tube
Subject:	Paper offering
Who:
Where:	Singapore
Event:
Description:	Black and white paper tube of toothpaste with writing, part of paper offerings for a man, which would be burnt at the graveside as an offering for ancestors: Singapore, 1999
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