Headdress
before 1880 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The high quality of this magnificent gilded, lacquer tiered headdress studded with brilliants was most likely a product of the court of Mandalay. Its shape is highly conventional and is similar to the crowns worn by Jambhupati Buddhas, royalty and minor deities. It was probably intended to be worn by an actor impersonating the king of Celestial Beings in a court pwe (theatrical production), and would have formed part of a costume based on 19th century ceremonial dress worn by Burmese kings on state occasions.
The first Burmese court play was written in the early 18th century, and both puppet plays and theatrical performances with actors became very popular throughout Burma in the 18th and 19th centuries. These plays were usually linked to an incident from Burmese history or were based on one of the Buddhist Jatakas (stories about the Buddha's previous incarnations).
The first Burmese court play was written in the early 18th century, and both puppet plays and theatrical performances with actors became very popular throughout Burma in the 18th and 19th centuries. These plays were usually linked to an incident from Burmese history or were based on one of the Buddhist Jatakas (stories about the Buddha's previous incarnations).
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Lacquer, wood and sheet metal, gilded and inlaid with pieces of glass |
| Brief description | Wood & sheet metal theatrical headdress. Konbaung Dynasty (1752-1885). Lacquered and gilt set with pieces of mirror and imitation stones. Before 1880 |
| Physical description | A tall multitiered theatrical headdress. Shaped like a close fitting helmet which curves across the forehead and extends over the ears and neck. It rises in nine tapering leafy tiers to a voluted finial. The base is decorated with stylised flower heads. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Marks and inscriptions | Inscribed inside helmet: "Bengal, 3106 (not 1880 Slip Number), Burmah" (Label; English) |
| Gallery label |
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| Object history | Historical significance: A shape similar to the crowns worn by Burmese kings of the late Konbaung Dynasty and those seen on Jambhupati Buddhas, and minor deities. |
| Production | Attribution note: Used for dance or the theatre. The high quality of workmanship and material of this headdress suggests that it was probably a product for the Mandalay Court. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | The high quality of this magnificent gilded, lacquer tiered headdress studded with brilliants was most likely a product of the court of Mandalay. Its shape is highly conventional and is similar to the crowns worn by Jambhupati Buddhas, royalty and minor deities. It was probably intended to be worn by an actor impersonating the king of Celestial Beings in a court pwe (theatrical production), and would have formed part of a costume based on 19th century ceremonial dress worn by Burmese kings on state occasions. The first Burmese court play was written in the early 18th century, and both puppet plays and theatrical performances with actors became very popular throughout Burma in the 18th and 19th centuries. These plays were usually linked to an incident from Burmese history or were based on one of the Buddhist Jatakas (stories about the Buddha's previous incarnations). |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | 06207(IS) |
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| Record created | February 1, 1999 |
| Record URL |
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