Cantonese Opera Boots Item Number: 2701/11 a-b from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
A pair of boots high enough to cover the wearer’s calf, with very thick white soles curved upwards at the front. The sides of the boots are decorated with frontal images of flowers in two shades of blue sequins, with tendrils extending from them filled in with silver sequins, as are the centres of the flowers. There are also flowers on the toes of the boots. There are long loops of fabric attached to the tops of the boots at the centre front. A red stamp with Chinese characters is inside (a) near top.
History Of Use
Boots with high soles were and are used in Cantonese opera to represent men of high status in both civil and military roles. The extent of decoration indicates the status of the character. These boots would have been worn by a male or female actor with an alto voice representing a young male scholar of ordinary rank. During the years 1900-1930, Cantonese opera costumes were decorated with silver-plated brass discs and then with round mirrors, together with gold and silver thread. Sequins made of gelatin were first used on Cantonese opera costumes in the 1930s. Heavily-sequined costumes were popular in the 1950s-60s, with the sequins then being made of plastic. Sequins have continued to come and go in popularity since that time.
Cultural Context
Cantonese Opera Performance
Item History
- Made in Hong Kong, China during 1965
- Collected in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Owned by Ngai Lum Musical Society before April 21, 2008
- Received from Ngai Lum Musical Society (Donor) on April 21, 2008
What
- Name
- Cantonese Opera Boots
- Identification Number
- 2701/11 a-b
- Type of Item
- boot
- Material
- synthetic fibre ?, leather skin, paint, plastic and cotton fibre
- Manufacturing Technique
- sewn and painted
- Part A
- height 38.5 cm, width 8.5 cm, depth 26.0 cm
- Part B
- height 37.0 cm, width 8.5 cm, depth 26.5 cm
Who
- Culture
- Chinese: Cantonese
- Previous Owner
- Ngai Lum Musical Society
- Received from
- Ngai Lum Musical Society (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Hong Kong, China
- Collected in
- Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
When
- Creation Date
- during 1965
- Ownership Date
- before April 21, 2008
- Acquisition Date
- on April 21, 2008
Other
- Item Classes
- textiles
- Condition
- good
- Accession Number
- 2701/0011 a-b