A woman's beaded headband created by the Paranaikan Chinese (Straits Chinese), the descendants of migrants from mainland China who settled in the Straits settlements of Malacca, Penang and Singapore, and who, over many generations, developed a distinct cultural style blending their Chinese, western and local South East Asian culture.

The headband depicts blooming flowers and butterflies against a turquoise ground set with a multi-coloured geometric border. Two mother-of-pearl buttons and dyed string are used to fasten the headband.

The rocaille beads used in this accessory and other traditional handicrafts by the Paranikan Chinese, such as beaded slippers, pillow ends and more, were made in southern France and were traded to the Straight settlements by merchants.