Title
Kebaya
Year/Period
c. 1960
Region
Jakarta or Surabaya, Indonesian archipelago
Object Type
Material
Technique
Dimension
Object size: 77.2 x 141.2 cm
Accession No.
1992-00375
Collection of
Credit Line
Gift in loving memory of, and tender tributes to, Mrs Goh Kee Chin by her daughter
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. They are commonly made from voile, a fine cotton fabric of French or Swiss origins. The use of embroidery on the kebaya allows the Peranakan women to have greater leeway to customise their individual piece, so that the chances of them wearing an identical piece with someone else were greatly reduced. Being of a translucent material, the kebaya would have been worn with an inner, possibly long-sleeved undershirt.
