2005.1.57

From newspaper caption pasted on back of photo: "CELESTIAL LION DANCERS, 'SZE-TSE,' WILL PERFORM THIS WEEKEND To find them, follow the drums, cymbols and gong in both Chinese communities." February 15, 1977. The black and white photo has a removable red overlay. Photo taken on a Chinatown street. In the lower left a person with a paper mask -- large hairless head, dark eyebrows, ears, eyes, nose and painted open mouth -- is laying on their right shoulder on the ground looking back at the dragon. In the right hand is an open fan with the flat open part toward the dragon. The fingers of the other hand are spead on the ground. The person wears a loose jacket with 3/4 sleeves -- the bottom of the jacket and sleeves are trimmed with dark bands -- and dark pants and shoes. In the middle of the photo is an elaborate dragon/lion's head. It is very large and appears have dark horns at the top of the head with many ovals edged in white shaggy fringe. The ears and half-closed eyes are also trimmed in a white shaggy fringe also. The lion/dragon also has a white mustache and white beard. Along the mustache from one side of the face to the other is a design of half circles. Beneath the head of the lion/dragon are two legs clad in dark shiny trousers with dark shoes - one foot is on the person on the ground. The lion/dragon's body contines behind the head under a robe of a shiny fabric with large horizontal white trim sewn in wavy lines. Above this area and directly behind the head the robe is of a medium color in wide strips with dark horizontal fabric sewn onto the srips. A person's leg in dark trousers and shoes is visible beneath the back of the lion/dragon's body. On the left side is an open door. Above the door is an ornament with carved and/or painted flowers and below it is and elaborate curtain. There are Chinese gold characters on a dark background at the top of the curtain. Below this area and in the center are three dark areas -- large oval, small oval, large oval of a dark color with English letters in each. This area is bordered from the top of the door to the bottom of the three dark areas with a light colored ribbon with a design of flowers or birds. This same border extends along the sides and bottom of the lower portion of the curtain. Below this band are light colored designs on a dark background. There appear to be multicolored tassels at the bottom of the curtain. Standing against the building a person's left shoulder, arm and leg are also in this area.. On the right side of the photo are buildings approximately three stories high. One building has open balconies on the third level. On the building next to it (and behind the dragon's tail) are stairs leading up to the second level. Beyond this building is another multistoried one with a marquee containing Chinese characters.

From white file folder: Chifnese Americans

Used: Oakland Tribune