Cantonese Opera Panel Item Number: N1.884 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Rectangular pink panel edged with a green border and tin reflectors. The back lining is white cotton with a pair of cotton ties sewn at one end.
History Of Use
Such objects may have been used as banners or hanging panels on the stage, which was otherwise virtually bare except for entrance and exit panels of the same material. They also may have been carried to represent a sedan chair, with the actor representing the rider walking in the middle.
Specific Techniques
Hand sewn. All seams are enclosed.
Cultural Context
theatre
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) in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China during 1920
- 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 Panel
- Identification Number
- N1.884
- Type of Item
- panel
- Material
- hemp fibre, cotton fibre, dye, brass metal and silver metal
- Manufacturing Technique
- dyed, sewn and woven
- Overall
- height 152.0 cm, width 39.5 cm
Who
- Culture
- Chinese: Cantonese
- Creator
- Leuhn Cheung Gam Leuhn Cheung (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 1920
- Ownership Date
- before August 28, 1973
- Acquisition Date
- on August 28, 1973
Other
- Item Classes
- textiles
- Condition
- fair
- Accession Number
- 0248/0269