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This information was automatically generated from data provided by MOA: University of British Columbia. It has been standardized to aid in finding and grouping information within the RRN. Accuracy and meaning should be verified from the Data Source tab.

Description

Holder is green-blue and rectangular with black features and two long white ties. The holder flares out at the top and is made of leather covered with green-blue fabric. The features are adhered to the fabric in the shape of a Fu dog face. There is a wide pink mouth with white teeth, a large white nose, round white eyes with green pupils and pointed white eyebrows. The wrinkled forehead and other facial features are black. The white ties are threaded through the inside of the holder and knotted on the outside front in the lower corners. The back of the holder is covered in white cotton with black characters down the centre.

History Of Use

Cantonese opera accessory, worn on back with armour.

Cultural Context

theatre

Iconographic Meaning

Flags and their holders represent high-ranking martial characters.

Specific Techniques

All stitching was done by hand. Ties appear to be machine woven. Details of animal face were pasted onto base fabric.

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

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