Not currently on display at the V&A

Hanging

second half 19th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This long kalaga, or pictorial textile hanging, was used to decorate the upper walls of a room. Kalagas were also used to partition a room or, by the Burmese, to form a screen outside on festive occasions. The hanging, of black woollen cloth with an appliqué design of shaped coloured fabrics, sequins and tinsel, shows a scene from a mythological pwe (play) representing a royal procession approaching a Buddhist temple. The costumes of the figures are depicted in the stylised tradition of Burmese theatre and relate to those of the Mandalay Court of around 1880.

This example was obtained by the donor, a British officer, while stationed in Burma in the latter part of the 19th century. Britain had annexed Burma stage by stage through the 19th century until in 1885 the entire kingdom came under British rule. These textiles grew in popularity in Burma from the middle of the 19th century. By the end of the century they were being acquired by both Burmese and Europeans alike.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Black woollen cloth, with appliqué work of satin, woollen and cotton material, outlined and embroidered with gold and silver cord and sequins
Brief description
Embroidered Burmese kalaga (hanging). Black woollen cloth with an appliqué design, showing a royal procession approaching a Buddhist temple, of coloured cloth, sequins and tinsel. Late 19th century.
Physical description
Shows a scene, taken from a mythological play (pwe'), representing a royal procession approaching a Buddhist temple. The border is a floral scroll repeat.
Dimensions
  • Length: 175.5cm
  • Width: 38cm
Style
Credit line
Presented by Sydney Vacher Esq, 35 Wellington Street, Strand in the name of the late Lieut. Col. C. L. Barett, 43 Gurkha rifles
Object history
Used for decorative purposes at festivals.
Production
Attribution note: Used for decorative purposes at festivals.
Subject depicted
Summary
This long kalaga, or pictorial textile hanging, was used to decorate the upper walls of a room. Kalagas were also used to partition a room or, by the Burmese, to form a screen outside on festive occasions. The hanging, of black woollen cloth with an appliqué design of shaped coloured fabrics, sequins and tinsel, shows a scene from a mythological pwe (play) representing a royal procession approaching a Buddhist temple. The costumes of the figures are depicted in the stylised tradition of Burmese theatre and relate to those of the Mandalay Court of around 1880.

This example was obtained by the donor, a British officer, while stationed in Burma in the latter part of the 19th century. Britain had annexed Burma stage by stage through the 19th century until in 1885 the entire kingdom came under British rule. These textiles grew in popularity in Burma from the middle of the 19th century. By the end of the century they were being acquired by both Burmese and Europeans alike.
Collection
Accession number
IS.5-1900

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Record createdJune 7, 2000
Record URL
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