Description:

Southeast Asia, Burma (present day Myanmar), ca. 20th century CE. An elaborately decorated vintage Burmese Kalaga tapestry - quilted, embroidered with metallic threads, and extensively adorned with sequins, glass stones, and tiny mirror pieces that have been either sewn or glued onto the fabric backing. The central circular panel features a prince pulled by a sacred white elephant ridden by a royal attendant. Hovering above the carriage and elephant is an angelic figure beseeching the prince to give up the trappings of his royal life and become a Buddhist monk, advice that the prince followed, eventually becoming a monk. Size: 30.5" L x 30.5" W (77.5 cm x 77.5 cm)

The Burmese call these tapestries shwe gyi do - meaning "gold thread embroidery"; these were sewn via a technique called shwe gyi. This form of visual culture emerged in the Konbaung dynasty in the mid-19th century and rose to its heyday during the reign of Mindon Min.

Provenance: private Randolph, New Jersey, USA collection

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#129075

  • Condition: Some areas of loss to decoration, particularly a few of the glued stones, but generally very good with only minor tears to black fabric on verso. There are initials in black on the verso.

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January 18, 2018 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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