Men’s maroon short jacket with fur lining

This short jacket is known as a ‘magua’ 马褂 and was worn over a long robe (‘changshan’ or ‘changpao’) in the early 20th century in China and Hong Kong. This fur-lined jacket would have been used during the winter season. It belonged to Mr Kaan Tat Choi, who was a successful businessman in the bullion business. Mr Kaan expanded his business from Hong Kong to Malaya in the 1920s, acquiring several rubber plantations along the east coast of Malaya. He also opened a bullion trading company called “Yee Shing” at 20 Canal Road in Singapore in the 1930s