Narrative Threads

Crafting the Canadian Quilt

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Vest

Curated Submission
Place
China
Date
Circa 1921
DIMENSIONS in centimetres
52 x 40
Materials & techniques
Cotton; Plain woven, machine-sewn
Credit
Gift of Lonnie Seguin
ID
Textile Museum of Canada T93.0117
This vest was brought to Canada in 1921 by Ho See, who presumably made it for her son using blue-and-white striped commercial fabric with miscellaneous bits and pieces used for facing and lining. It was stitched by machine with threads of different colours that don’t always match the fabric – probably what she had at hand and not purchased specifically for the garment. Although Western in style, the vest recalls the popular blue-and-white colour combination of traditional Chinese work cloth.

Ho See entered Canada through Victoria, British Columbia, on August 8, 1921, which was a difficult time for Chinese immigrants. Under the Chinese Immigration Act of the time, each Chinese person entering the county had to pay a head tax of $500. Ho See paid the tax and kept the certificate, which was “of value as a means of identification.” The certificate was donated to the Textile Museum of Canada together with the vest.
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A humble button-up vest made from vertically striped blue and white fabric with two large pockets on the front.
Photo: Textile Museum of Canada T93.0117
Rear view of a button-up vest made from vertically striped blue and white fabric.
Rear view. Photo: Textile Museum of Canada T93.0117
Interior view of a button-up vest made from vertically striped blue and white fabric, showing different coloured scraps used for the lining.
Detail view. Photo: Textile Museum of Canada T93.0117
Stamped Immigration certificate for Kwong Jong Ping with a posed portrait of Ping in a suit.
Dominion of Canada C.I. 28 immigration certificate, for Kwong Jong Ping of 54 Pender Street East, Vancouver, British Columbia, issued on July 22, 1924. This was a replacement certificate proving his original immigration to Canada in July 1910. Photo: Courtesy of the Textile Museum of Canada
Rear of stamped Immigration certificate for Kwong Jong Ping.
Rear view of a Dominion of Canada C.I. 28 immigration certificate, for Kwong Jong Ping of 54 Pender Street East, Vancouver, British Columbia, issued on July 22, 1924. This was a replacement certificate proving his original immigration to Canada in July 1910. Photo: Courtesy of the Textile Museum of Canada
A stamped immigration certificate made out to <abbr title='Missus'>Mrs.</abbr> Ho See with a photograph of a young, unsmiling <abbr title='Missus'>Mrs.</abbr> See attached.
Dominion of Canada C.I. 5 immigration certificate, issued to Ho See of Canton, China, on her arrival in Victoria, British Columbia, on August 8, 1921. The certificate also served as a receipt for payment of the $500 head tax. Photo: Courtesy of the Textile Museum of Canada
Rear of stamped immigration certificate made out to <abbr title='Missus'>Mrs.</abbr> Ho See.
Rear view of a Dominion of Canada C.I. 5 immigration certificate, issued to Ho See of Canton, China, on her arrival in Victoria, British Columbia, on August 8, 1921. The certificate also served as a receipt for payment of the $500 head tax. Photo: Courtesy of the Textile Museum of Canada
 
           

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