Title
Kebaya
Year/Period
Late 19th-early 20th century
Region
Indonesian Archipelago
Object Type
Material
Technique
Dimension
Gross measurement: 90.5 x 148 cm
Accession No.
2011-01106
Collection of
Credit Line
Gift of Mr and Mrs Lee Kip Lee
The kebaya is an open tunic with long sleeves, a collarless neck and front opening. It is a hip-length garment and is gently shaped to flatter the figure. It is fastened in the front by a set of three leaf-shaped or jewelled brooches (kerosang), usually connected by a chain. This kebaya is possibly made from white translucent voile and decorated with lace. Such forms of kebayas were commonly worn from the 1920s onwards among Nyonyas in the Straits Settlements. Eurasian women in the Dutch East Indies were perhaps the first ot wear cotton kebayas trimmed with handmade European lace in the day. Being of a translucent material, this garment would have been worn with an inner, possibly long-sleeved undershirt.
