Title
Kebaya
Year/Period
early 20th century
Region
Straits Settlements and Indonesian Archipelago
Dimension
Gross measurement: 81 x 146.5 cm
Accession No.
2011-01104
Collection of
Credit Line
Gift of Mr and Mrs Lee Kip Lee
The kebaya is an open tunic with long sleeves worn by Nonyas of the Straits Settlements and Indonesia and Indo-European ladies in the Indonesian Archipelago from the late 19th to 20th centuries. It is possibly derived from the ancient ‘qaba’, an Islamic robe worn by rulers across the Middle East since the 9th century. It is decorated with circular patterns along the frontal hems and at the bottom of the piece. Kebayas were usually worn together with a sarong, which is a rectangular piece of dyed cotton cloth worn as a skirt by wrapping it around the waist.
