Hanging
late 19th century (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
This fine kalaga, (pictorial textile hanging) of red woollen cloth with an appliqué design of shaped coloured fabrics, partly painted, and silver sequins, probably illustrates one of the Buddhist Jatakas (stories of the Buddha's previous incarnations).
Kalagas could be used either as decorative wall hangings, to partition a room, or to form a screen outside on festive occasions. Kalagas with religious themes were used in the Buddhist Temples of Burma on high festivals and on account of their rarity were lent to different temples as needed.
Britain's control of Burma extended as the 19th century progressed, and the country was annexed in 1885. The extravagant style of kalagas appealed to Burmese and Europeans alike and their popularity soared in the middle of the 19th century.
The costumes of the figures are depicted in the stylised tradition of Burmese theatre relate to the fashions worn in the Mandalay Court of about 1880. The kalaga itself dates to the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries.
Kalagas could be used either as decorative wall hangings, to partition a room, or to form a screen outside on festive occasions. Kalagas with religious themes were used in the Buddhist Temples of Burma on high festivals and on account of their rarity were lent to different temples as needed.
Britain's control of Burma extended as the 19th century progressed, and the country was annexed in 1885. The extravagant style of kalagas appealed to Burmese and Europeans alike and their popularity soared in the middle of the 19th century.
The costumes of the figures are depicted in the stylised tradition of Burmese theatre relate to the fashions worn in the Mandalay Court of about 1880. The kalaga itself dates to the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Dyed woollen cloth with appliquéd cotton and copper, painted in Indian ink and watercolour |
Brief description | Hanging (Kalaga) of dyed woollen cloth, Mandalay, late 19th century. |
Physical description | Hanging (Kalaga) of dyed woollen cloth. Madder-dyed woollen cloth, bound at the top and sides with green woollen cloth, with appliqué ornament executed in shaped pieces of prepared cottons of various tints, coloured woollen fabrics, white cotton ric-rac and copper sequins. Some details are painted in Indian ink and watercolour. The subject of the applique-work may illustrate one of the Jataka stories (stories of the Buddha's 550 previous incarnations). To the left is a Palace in which are seated a Princess and a Prince, whilst an attendant ushers in a noble and another man who stand outside beneath a richly foliated tree. To the right the same Royal pair are seated in a large saloon with the noble and the other man to right and left. The deep border is formed of wavy leafy stems and horsemen. The figures are dressed in the elaborate costumes of the Konbaung Dynasty. |
Dimensions |
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Style | |
Credit line | Given by Major Sir Bartle C. Frere, Bt, DSO |
Historical context | Kalagas with religious themes were used in the Buddhist Temples of Burma on high festivals and on account of their rarity were lent to the different Temples as required. |
Production | Although there is a slight variation in the decorative motifs in the border panels of scrolling floral designs, with its eight small panels of horseman this is probably made in the late 19th century workshop and the designs created by the same artist as: IS 2-1963; IS 44-1967; IS 3-1963; IS 76-1957; IS 1-1963; IM 159-1924. (Inf. supplied by Noel F. Singer June 2002) |
Subject depicted | |
Summary | This fine kalaga, (pictorial textile hanging) of red woollen cloth with an appliqué design of shaped coloured fabrics, partly painted, and silver sequins, probably illustrates one of the Buddhist Jatakas (stories of the Buddha's previous incarnations). Kalagas could be used either as decorative wall hangings, to partition a room, or to form a screen outside on festive occasions. Kalagas with religious themes were used in the Buddhist Temples of Burma on high festivals and on account of their rarity were lent to different temples as needed. Britain's control of Burma extended as the 19th century progressed, and the country was annexed in 1885. The extravagant style of kalagas appealed to Burmese and Europeans alike and their popularity soared in the middle of the 19th century. The costumes of the figures are depicted in the stylised tradition of Burmese theatre relate to the fashions worn in the Mandalay Court of about 1880. The kalaga itself dates to the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. |
Bibliographic reference | Mary Krishna, Burmese Applique Hangings;
"Embroidery" The Journal of the Embroiderers Guild; Volume XIII; No.2; Summer 1962; pp. 53 - 55; fig. 68 - 71 |
Collection | |
Accession number | IM.47-1925 |
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Record created | June 26, 2000 |
Record URL |
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