Cantonese Opera Boots Item Number: 2967/30 a-b from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Cantonese Opera costume boots. The body of each boot is made of yellow silk on the outside, with the outline of a tiger’s body embroidered on the front in black, tail to the top, shoulders at the ankles. Tiger stripes decorate the foot of the boot. On the toe is the tiger’s head, embroidered in metallic thread on a separate and attached piece of material. The ears, nose and tongue are attached pieces of red material, long pointed canine teeth are white, and the eyes protrude and are white and black. The inside of the boot is lined with unbleached cotton and two cotton strings are attached at the inner boot top for tightening. The sole of the boots are made of a thick piece of wood, painted white, angling sharply from ball of the foot up toward the tip of the toe.
History Of Use
Platform boots with tiger design and sculpted wooden soles. Likely part of a full costume of a martial character’s full armour (dakao) which also includes the robe and headdress.
Item History
- Made in China between 1920 and 1930
- Owned by Jin Wah Sing Musical Association before August 29, 2012
- Received from Jin Wah Sing Musical Association (Donor) on August 29, 2012
What
- Name
- Cantonese Opera Boots
- Identification Number
- 2967/30 a-b
- Type of Item
- boot
- Material
- silk fibre, cotton fibre, wood, paint, hair and synthetic fibre
- Part A
- height 38.7 cm, width 25.0 cm, depth 7.5 cm
- Part B
- height 39.5 cm, width 25.5 cm, depth 7.3 cm
Who
- Culture
- Chinese: Cantonese
- Previous Owner
- Jin Wah Sing Musical Association
- Received from
- Jin Wah Sing Musical Association (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- China
When
- Creation Date
- between 1920 and 1930
- Ownership Date
- before August 29, 2012
- Acquisition Date
- on August 29, 2012
Other
- Item Classes
- textiles
- Condition
- good
- Current Location
- Case 85
- Accession Number
- 2967/0030 a-b