Title
Kebaya
Creator
Year/Period
1940s-1960s
Region
Indonesia - Java
Object Type
Material
Technique
Dimension
Object size: 80.0 x 139.2 cm
Accession No.
2024-00064
Collection of
The embroidery on Alice Choo’s (1926-2019) kebaya shows purple orchids emerging from horns, possibly alluding to the cornucopia which is a classical symbol of abundance. Choo wore sarong kebaya at formal occasions throughout the 1940s to 1960s. Her husband John Lim (1896-1990) loved to entertain at their home in Marine Parade. Preferring monochromatic kebayas, she bought robia (voile) at a shop called S.A. Majeed in Katong, Singapore and had them tailored into kebayas in Jakarta, through a Chinese Indonesian lady, Ah Joo, who lived in Siglap and who took orders. The kebayas were made by a Nyonya called Seok Moey in Jakarta, who was Ah Joo’s cousin.
