Shoulder Bag
ca. 1923 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
Shoulder bag formed of four rectangular panels of hand-loom brocaded silk and cotton. Figured with horizontal rows of magenta, green and yellow spots on a silver ground. The meeting of these panels is over-bound with red silk thread and edged with a double ridge of coix-seeds (Job's Tears). At the edges of the bag, on each side, are four stars of the seeds, and a double row of them edge the two bottom tassels plaited in skeins of yellow silk and black cotton threads. The top carrying-sling is woven in the same colours as the tassels. Woven on a local hand loom in coloured silks and thread formed of strips of silvered paper wound round a cotton core.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Brocaded in silks and cotton thread wound with silvered paper |
Brief description | Shoulder bag formed of four rectangular panels of brocaded silk and cotton, Shan, ca. 1923 |
Physical description | Shoulder bag formed of four rectangular panels of hand-loom brocaded silk and cotton. Figured with horizontal rows of magenta, green and yellow spots on a silver ground. The meeting of these panels is over-bound with red silk thread and edged with a double ridge of coix-seeds (Job's Tears). At the edges of the bag, on each side, are four stars of the seeds, and a double row of them edge the two bottom tassels plaited in skeins of yellow silk and black cotton threads. The top carrying-sling is woven in the same colours as the tassels. Woven on a local hand loom in coloured silks and thread formed of strips of silvered paper wound round a cotton core. |
Dimensions |
|
Credit line | Given by HM Queen Mary |
Object history | This exceptionally fine shoulder bag, was a gift from King George V and Queen Mary in 1924. It was first exhibited at the British Empire Exhibition, Wembley (1923-1924) probably in the Burma Pavilion. |
Historical context | Woven by people of the South Shan States on a local hand loom. The sumptuousness of this article suggest that it may have originally been intended for a member of a Sawbwa's (shan prince's) family. From the mid 18th century the Shan states (an area which forms the eastern region of Burma) were semi-autonomous. The states were ruled by princes who paid tribute to the Burmese kings of the Konbaung Dynasty (1752-1885). Under British rule (1885-1948) they continued to have a degree of independence For further examples of similarly fine bags see VA IS 86-1965 and Innes Costumes of Upper Burma and the Shan States; Halifax Museums 1957; p.11;Fig. 11; GS 32 & 33 & 57 |
Production | Shan. |
Bibliographic reference | Innes, "Costumes of Upper Burma and the Shan States", Halifax Museum, 1957, p. 11 |
Collection | |
Accession number | IM.328-1924 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
Record created | September 20, 2004 |
Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest