Object Details
maker
unknown
Description (Brief)
In America, Mrs. Lee wore this tunic-length satin blouse with side buttons made from 1890 Hong Kong coins. The generously cut blouse or sam, often reaching the calf, was worn over trousers.
Mrs. Lee wore traditional Chinese clothes when she occasionally accompanied her children to the local movie houses. According to her daughter Grace, since she did not understand English she made up her own storyline to accompany the films’ images.
Location
Currently not on view
Credit Line
Gift of James Edgar Mead and Virginia Lee Mead
date made
ca 1905
ID Number
1992.0620.08
catalog number
1992.0620.08
accession number
1992.0620
Object Name
blouse, woman's
Object Type
Main Dress
Blouse
Woman
Physical Description
silk (overall material)
wool (overall material)
metal (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 75 cm x 90 cm; 29 1/2 in x 35 7/16 in
place made
China
Related Publication
Mead, Virginia Lee. Lee Chinese -American Family Papers, ca. 1915-1970
Related Web Publication
https://sova.si.edu/record/nmah.ac.0555
See more items in
Home and Community Life: Costume
Family & Social Life
Cultures & Communities
Clothing & Accessories
Chinese American
Data Source
National Museum of American History
referenced
Immigration
Immigrants
used
Chinese Americans
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmah_1119954