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

To search on related items, click any underlined text below.

• Online ID: 000-190-002-303-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: 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
  Toothpaste tube
  
• 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
  
• References:
• Translations:
• Related Records: