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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

Blue robe with a round neck, tapered sleeves with hoof cuffs and a side opening with brass frog closures. There are slits in the centre front and back. The collar border has a gold peony motif on a red ground, edged with gold braid and pink trim. The cuffs have gold braid outside and black cotton lining inside. The robe lining is natural-coloured linen.

History Of Use

Cantonese opera costume (informal military robe), worn by man.

Cultural Context

theatre

Iconographic Meaning

The fact that this costume was worn by a military character and role type in indicated by the tight sleeves and the slits at front and back.

Specific Techniques

All visible seams are hand-sewn. Band of pink floral-patterned braid is machine-woven.

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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