Cantonese Opera Belt Item Number: N1.862 b-c from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Two white belt carriers (part b-c) with metal snap fasteners. On the front of each is a five-toed dragon, with pearl and fire motifs in brown, yellow, red, white, black and silver. The pieces are stiffened with cardboard and wire. The back is lined with white cotton.
History Of Use
Part of a Cantonese opera costume worn by man (see jacket N1.862 a)
Narrative
A large group of Cantonese opera costumes, musical instruments, props, trunks, and stage fittings was left with the Jin Wah Sing Musical Association, apparently by some of the many itinerant troupes visiting Vancouver to perform in the Chinatown theatres in the pre World War II period. There is no certain knowledge of why these materials were not taken back to China by them. They were used by the Jin Wah Sing Musical Association in their performances until they became too dated. The association continued to preserve them carefully, storing them in their headquarters and in the basement of the Chinese Freemasons building until several groups of materials were sold and donated to the Museum of Anthropology.
Cultural Context
theatre
Item History
- Made in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China ? during 1940
- Collected between 1900 and 1940
- Owned by Jin Wah Sing Musical Association before August 28, 1973
- Received from Barrett Montford Endowment Fund (Funding source), Jin Wah Sing Musical Association (Seller), Leon & Thea Koerner Foundation (Funding source), Museum of Anthropology Donations Fund (Funding source), Mah Society of North America (Funding source), Canada-China Friendship Association (Funding source), Quon H. Wong Agencies (Funding source) and Edith Low-Beer (Funding source) on August 28, 1973
What
- Name
- Cantonese Opera Belt
- Identification Number
- N1.862 b-c
- Type of Item
- belt
- Material
- fibre, paper, cotton fibre, metal and silk fibre
- Manufacturing Technique
- dyed, woven, sewn, stiffened and embroidered
- Part C
- height 137.5 cm, width 13.8 cm
- Part B
- height 137.0 cm, width 13.7 cm
Who
- Culture
- Chinese: Cantonese
- Previous Owner
- Jin Wah Sing Musical Association
- Received from
- Barrett Montford Endowment Fund (Funding source), Jin Wah Sing Musical Association (Seller), Leon & Thea Koerner Foundation (Funding source), Museum of Anthropology Donations Fund (Funding source), Mah Society of North America (Funding source), Canada-China Friendship Association (Funding source), Quon H. Wong Agencies (Funding source) and Edith Low-Beer (Funding source)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Guangzhou, Guangdong, China ?
When
- Creation Date
- during 1940
- Collection Date
- between 1900 and 1940
- Ownership Date
- before August 28, 1973
- Acquisition Date
- on August 28, 1973
Other
- Item Classes
- textiles
- Condition
- fair
- Accession Number
- 0248/0247 b-c