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Cultural Context

theatre

History Of Use

Cantonese opera costume, worn by warrior.

Specific Techniques

All seams are enclosed. All stitching that can be seen is hand-sewn. Cotton lining is pasted to outer layer. Wear on other costumes made of similar fabric suggests that it is silk warp with cotton weft, or vice-versa. Embroidered sections are done with long satin stitches.

Iconographic Meaning

The narrow sleeves indicate that this costume is for a military role rather than a civil role. The round disk represents a mirror that served to deflect evil forces.

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.

Description

Mauve armour robe with slender sleeves, epaulets and a side opening with brass frog fasteners. Below the waist, the armour divides into one front panel and three back panels. On the front are fu dog, butterfly, bird, peony and triple cash motifs in silver, red, purple, blue and green on a mauve ground. The collar band has peony motifs in silver, yellow and blue on a mauve ground. The sleeves have multicoloured bird, narcissus and peony motifs. On the back are butterfly, bat, fish, lotus and peony motifs. On each of the large back panels there are five tassels in yellow, turquoise, pink, green and orange. On the front are seven tassels in turquoise, green, orange, yellow, light and dark pink. There are green glass eyes, tin reflectors, bells and white fur on the front and back. The inside lining is natural-coloured linen. (The couching has all fallen apart along the sides.)