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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.


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
  • Length: 320cm
  • Width: 157.5cm
  • Length: 122in
  • Width: 63in
  • Top edge width: 3100mm
  • Bottom edge width: 3060mm
  • Proper right length: 1574mm
  • Proper left length: 1575mm
  • Weighed on roller weight: 15.5kg
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 createdJune 26, 2000
Record URL
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