Cantonese Opera Robe Item Number: N1.662 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Ecru robe with slender sleeves, hoof cuffs, front and back slits and side opening. Dragon, bird, fish, crayfish, tree peony and wave motifs on front and back in blue, turquoise, green, pink and gold on ecru ground. The sleeve band has a butterfly motif in silver, pink and black on ecru ground. The sleeve cuff interior is lined with turquoise silk, embroidered with flower designs. There are green glass eyes, tin reflectors, knotted buttons and fur on the front and back. The inside lining is natural-coloured linen.
History Of Use
Cantonese opera costume, worn as informal military robe.
Iconographic Meaning
The identification of the costume is indicated by its shape and the dragon motif.
Cultural Context
theatre
Specific Techniques
Seams are enclosed. All stitching that can be seen was done by hand. The lining is in relatively good condition. According to Wong Toa, actors wore special undergarments to absorb perspiration and protect their costumes. These included an undershirt made of fine tubes of bamboo strung on cord and woven into a mesh, worn next to the skin to keep the costume away from the body, cotton shoulder pads to make the actor appear bigger, and heavy cotton cloth around the waist to absorb perspiration.
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.
Item History
- Made by Leuhn Cheung Gam Leuhn Cheung (Manufacturer) and Gam San Gung Si ? (Manufacturer) in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China ? during 1910
- Collected in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- 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 Robe
- Identification Number
- N1.662
- Type of Item
- robe
- Material
- cotton fibre ?, hemp fibre, silk fibre, rabbit skin, dye, gold metal, silver metal, brass metal and glass
- Manufacturing Technique
- woven, dyed, sewn, appliqued, embroidered and couched
- Overall
- height 133.0 cm, width 169.0 cm
Who
- Culture
- Chinese: Cantonese
- Creator
- Leuhn Cheung Gam Leuhn Cheung (Manufacturer) and Gam San Gung Si ? (Manufacturer)
- 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 ?
- Collected in
- Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
When
- Creation Date
- during 1910
- Ownership Date
- before August 28, 1973
- Acquisition Date
- on August 28, 1973
Other
- Item Classes
- textiles
- Condition
- poor
- Accession Number
- 0248/0047