Bangle thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Bangle

2nd quarter 19th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
Burma (made)

This pair of solid gold woman's bangles is set with uncut rubies and dates to the early 19th century. Jewellery had an important place in Burmese royal and aristocratic society. Besides adorning the wearer, it indicated her social status in both her family and society. The sumptuousness of these bangles suggest that they may have originally belonged to a member of the Burmese royal family or to the wife of a high court official.


Object details

Categories
Access_to_Images 2003
SCRAN
Gemstones
Jewellery
India Museum
Object type
Bangle
Parts
This object consists of 4 parts.

  • Part, Bangle
  • Part, Bangle
  • Bangle Part
  • Bangle Part
Materials and techniques
Solid gold, set with uncut rubies
Gold
Rubies
Inlay
Brief description
Burmese pair of bangles of solid gold set with rubies, Konbaung Dynasty (1752-1885), ca. 2nd quarter of the 19th century.
Physical description
Encircled with three rows of closely set gems. In two parts - hinged and fastened at the centre with a screw with a large gem.
Dimensions
  • Inner diameter: 8.2cm
  • Outer diameter: 8.9cm
Style
Konbaung
Production typeUnique
Object history
Historical significance: The sumptuousness of these articles suggest that they may have originally belonged to a lady of the Burmese royal family or to the wife of a high official of the court of Ava.

Anne Richter (see Ref.) suggests that these were either bracelets or child's anklets.
Summary
This pair of solid gold woman's bangles is set with uncut rubies and dates to the early 19th century. Jewellery had an important place in Burmese royal and aristocratic society. Besides adorning the wearer, it indicated her social status in both her family and society. The sumptuousness of these bangles suggest that they may have originally belonged to a member of the Burmese royal family or to the wife of a high court official.
Bibliographic references
  • Richter, Anne. The Jewelry of Southeast Asia Thames and Hudson, London 2000. pl.45 1880 Slip Book No 9822
  • Nandagopal, Choodamani. "Burmese Jewellery From The Collection of THe V&A". in The Art of Burma - New Studies; ed. Donald M. Stadtner. Marg Publications, Mumbai 1999. 178p. ill. ISBN: 81-85026-44-0
  • Anne Richter; The Jewelry of Southeast Asia, Thames and Hudson, London 2000, pl. 45
  • Burmese art / John Lowry. London: H. M. Stationery Office, 1974 Number: 0112901794 : cat. no. 30
Other number
9822 - India Museum Slip Book
Collection
South & South East Asia Collection
Accession number
03159:1, 2/(IS)

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Record createdNovember 24, 1999
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O12336/bangle-unknown/
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