Theatre Curtain Item Number: Edz1216 a-c from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Proscenium arch style curtain composed of 3 panels (parts a-c). All panels are polychrome embroidered satin-finish silk backed with canvas. One panel (part b) is hung horizontally with left and right vertical panels (a,c) hanging down each side. The vertical panels are identical except for the central dancing figure on a pedestal inside a pagoda with a sword raised upwards in his right hand: the figure is light green on the left panel and red on the right one. The horizontal panel (b) depicts a pagoda roof with 3 Chinese characters and 4 cranes. Polychrome tassels hang from the bottom edge. Other designs are symbols in the Chinese cosmos. The curtains have metal brads along the top of each one, for hanging.
History Of Use
Used as a theatre backdrop.
Narrative
Used as a prop by the famous Chinese acrobat-magician, Long Tak Sam. The curtain was brought to North America by him to use in his vaudeville tour. The great-granddaughter of Long Tak Sam, Ann Marie Fleming, made a full-length film about his life, called ”Long Tak Sam”, which includes views of the curtain.
Item History
- Made in Shanghai, China during 1930
- Owned by Tak Sam Long
- Owned by Mrs. Ernest To and Ernest To before June 29, 1976
- Received from Ernest To (Donor) and Mrs. Ernest To (Donor) on June 29, 1976
What
- Name
- Theatre Curtain
- Identification Number
- Edz1216 a-c
- Type of Item
- curtain
- Material
- silk fibre, glass, metal and cotton fibre
- Manufacturing Technique
- sewn and embroidered
- Part A
- height 6.6 m, width 2.0 m
- Part B
- height 2.2 m, width 6.4 m
- Part C
- height 6.6 m, width 2.0 m
Who
- Culture
- Chinese
- Previous Owner
- Tak Sam Long, Mrs. Ernest To and Ernest To
- Received from
- Ernest To (Donor) and Mrs. Ernest To (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Shanghai, China
When
- Creation Date
- during 1930
- Ownership Date
- before June 29, 1976
- Acquisition Date
- on June 29, 1976
Other
- Item Classes
- textiles
- Condition
- fair
- Accession Number
- 0315/0001 a-c