White kebaya with lace

Title
White kebaya with lace
Year/Period
Early 20th century
Region
Singapore
Material
Dimension
Object size: 132.5 x 75.0 x 0.3 cm
Accession No.
2019-00597
Collection of
Credit Line
Gift of the Lim Family in memory of Edna Chong Kim Neo

This white kebaya is made of a stripped cotton fabric which gives way to a cascade of lace at the cuff and neckline. It was possible by the 1920s to create elaborate lace-like patterns using sewing machines, which were widely available in the Malay Archipelago since the late 19th century. This was made by Chong Kim Neo (1916-1972), who made beaded slippers and garments from her home as she did not own a shop.