Double Comb
4th quarter 18th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This double-sided, wooden comb is mounted with gold and inlaid with a trellis-work of uncut rubies and emeralds in typically Burmese style. The comb would have been one of the items in a Burmese court lady's cosmetic box known as a bi-it together with oil, perfumes, a few tresses of hair and thanahka (powder).
This comb is believed to be of royal provenance as the strict sumptuary laws of the Burmese court of Mandalay during the time of the Konbaung Dynasty (1752-1885) restricted the use of precious gemstones to royalty and their courtiers.
This comb is believed to be of royal provenance as the strict sumptuary laws of the Burmese court of Mandalay during the time of the Konbaung Dynasty (1752-1885) restricted the use of precious gemstones to royalty and their courtiers.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Wood and gold, inlaid with rubies and emeralds |
| Brief description | Burmese double-sided wood comb mounted with gold inlaid with rubies and emeralds. Konbaung Dynasty (1752-1885), ca. late 18th century. |
| Physical description | Double-sided. Wooden teeth set in a framework of gold mounted with rubies and emeralds on either side. The gold frame consists of two concave side-pieces connected by a broad band chased with a trellis pattern: each side of the comb is set with 19 rubies and 24 emeralds. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Style | |
| Production type | Unique |
| Gallery label | Comb
1775–1825
Konbaung period
During the Konbaung period the use of precious stones was
limited by law to royalty and the nobility. This sumptuously
made comb would have belonged to a courtier or a member
of the royal family.
Gold, wood, emeralds and rubies
Burma (probably Amarapura or Ava, now Inwa)
Museum no. 2-1902(14/06/2011) |
| Credit line | Purchased from Messrs Hasluck[?] Bros, 104 Hatton Garden, London, E.C |
| Object history | This comb is deemed to be of royal provenance as the strict sumptuary laws of the Burmese court of Mandalay during the time of the Konbaung Dynasty (1752-1885) restricted the use of precious gemstones to royalty and their courtiers. |
| Summary | This double-sided, wooden comb is mounted with gold and inlaid with a trellis-work of uncut rubies and emeralds in typically Burmese style. The comb would have been one of the items in a Burmese court lady's cosmetic box known as a bi-it together with oil, perfumes, a few tresses of hair and thanahka (powder). This comb is believed to be of royal provenance as the strict sumptuary laws of the Burmese court of Mandalay during the time of the Konbaung Dynasty (1752-1885) restricted the use of precious gemstones to royalty and their courtiers. |
| Bibliographic reference | 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. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | IS.2-1902 |
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| Record created | November 30, 1999 |
| Record URL |
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