Garment

A plain linen or hemp undergarment, likely an inner layer worn beneath formal ceremonial robes.

A short ceremonial jacket crafted from black figured silk with a red lining and metal buttons stamped "Foo Kee Factory." The formal materials and construction indicate its use as ritual or ceremonial attire rather than everyday clothing. Preserved in the Tong house collection, it likely formed part of the regalia worn by officers or participants during formal proceedings.

A plain white ritual tunic or undergarment, featuring a loose, wide-sleeved cut. Its unadorned fabric suggests functional or ceremonial use beneath more elaborate vestments. It likely served as a layer within the complex dress required for ritual performances.

This red silk cord, tied into a knot with two long trailing ends, was likely used as a "leading-cord" (牽繩) within ceremonial proceedings. In modern Heaven and Earth Society (Tiandihui) and Green Gang rituals, such cords (sometimes tied with a copper coin) are used in rites honouring the ancestral masters, symbolizing the solidarity and transmission of the brotherhood.

A Hexagonal Hat (六角鑾), a type of soft headgear used in Gezai Opera (歌仔戲). It was typically worn by actors playing heroes or outlaw figures. Its structured six-sided form and embroidered decoration—often featuring auspicious butterfly motifs—conveyed both martial charisma and theatrical flair.

A Seven Star Hat (七星巾), a type of headgear used in Gezai Opera (歌仔戲), typically worn by Daoist priests or military strategists. Its upright black form, long ties, and frontal decoration identify it with learned, ritual, or advisory roles. In performance, such hats provided immediate visual cues linking costume to a character’s status and moral authority.

This red robe appears to be a ceremonial garment, cut in a wide-sleeved form and trimmed with narrow metallic bands at the collar and cuffs. Its bright colour and formal shape suggest ritual or performative use. The coarse inner lining, stamped workshop mark, and traces of handwritten notation indicate practical manufacturing, while signs of wear point to long-term preservation within the Tong house.

This blue embroidered robe appears to be a ceremonial or theatrical outer garment, richly decorated with floral motifs, rockwork, and birds, and fitted with long sleeve extensions characteristic of formal performance costume. The elaborate embroidery and bright satin ground suggest a display function, while the coarse inner lining and workshop stamps indicate practical construction.

This purple ceremonial or theatrical outer garment is distinguished by its wide sleeves and bold turquoise appliqué borders in a repeating cloud or ruyi-like pattern. Compared to the blue robe, its decoration is more restrained, relying on strong colour contrast for visual impact in performance. Its wear suggests repeated use.