Cantonese Opera Robe

Item number N1.662 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

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Data
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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.