Shrine thumbnail 1
Shrine thumbnail 2
+47
images
On display
Image of Gallery in South Kensington

This object consists of 54 parts, some of which may be located elsewhere.

Shrine

1850-1870 (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
Burma (made)

The form of this shrine with its waisted throne, which mirrors that of royal thrones of the period, evokes both the idea of the Buddha's spiritual kingship and popular beliefs in the semi-divine nature of secular kings. It is said to have come from the palace complex at Mandalay which was destroyed during the Second World War and is therefore one of the few large wooden objects to survive from the Court at Mandalay (1853-1885).

Object details

Categories
Buddhism
Sculpture
Gemstones
Woodwork
Religion
Object type
Shrine
Parts
This object consists of 54 parts.

  • Umbrella
  • Umbrella
  • Umbrella
  • Umbrella
  • Umbrella
  • Umbrella
  • Part of a Shrine
  • Part of a Shrine
  • Part of a Shrine
  • Part of a Shrine
  • Part of a Shrine
  • Part of a Shrine
  • Part of a Shrine
  • Part of a Shrine
  • Part of a Shrine
  • Part of a Shrine
  • Figure
  • Part of a Receptacle
  • Part of a Receptacle
  • Part of a Receptacle
  • Part of a Receptacle
  • Part of Receptacle
  • Part of a Receptacle
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Part of a Receptacle
  • Receptacle
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Lamp and Holder
  • Lion
  • Lion
  • Lion
  • Lion
  • Lion
  • Lion
  • Lion
  • Lion
  • Lion
  • Garuda
  • Garuda
  • Garuda
  • Garuda
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Couch
  • Couch
  • Vase
  • Vase
  • Bowl
  • Bowl
Materials and techniques
Carved in gilt wood inlaid with semi-precious stones, coloured glass and pieces of mirror
Brief description
Shrine, 'hpaya khan', with associated receptacles and figures, Burmese, probably from Mandalay, mid 19th century
Physical description
Shrine containing the figure of the Buddha Shakyamuni with attendant figures and receptacles.
Dimensions
  • Total including umbrella height: 285.7cm
  • Not including umbrella height: 255cm
Gallery label
(1/4/2009)
Buddhist shrine and associated objects
1800–1900
Mandalay, Myanmar (Burma)
Teak with gilded lacquer, semi-precious stones
and mirrors
The form of this shrine is based on that of Burmese
royal thrones of the period. With Shakyamuni Buddha
enthroned in the centre, it shows the overlapping
of two concepts: the Buddha’s universal kingship and
the semi-divine nature of the monarch. The group
includes a manuscript chest, offering vessels and
the Buddha’s chief disciples, Shariputra (left) and
Maudgalyayana (right), kneeling on couches.
Museum no. IS.11-1969
(03/08/2015)
Buddhist shrine and associated objects
1850–80
Shakyamuni Buddha is the main figure of this shrine.
The hour glass form beneath him is a miniature model
of the Buddhist cosmos, encompassing all the possible
levels of consciousness and being, which he is beyond.
Burmese royal thrones of the period copied the shape of
shrine bases such as this. The shrine has an accompanying
manuscript chest, offering vessels and figures of the
Buddha’s chief disciples Sariputta (left) and Mogallana
(right) kneeling on couches.
Mandalay Palace, Mandalay, Myanmar (Burma)
Teak, gilded lacquer, semi-precious stones, mirrors
Museum no. IS.11:1 to 31-1969
Object history
Acquired by Lt. Col. Raikes during the Third Anglo-Burmese War. Given by him to the Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery in 1906 and deaccessioned by that museum in 1966. Purchased from Oriental Antiquities Ltd £6,000 in 1969.
Production
Probably from Mandalay, possibly the Royal Palace
Subject depicted
Buddhism
Summary
The form of this shrine with its waisted throne, which mirrors that of royal thrones of the period, evokes both the idea of the Buddha's spiritual kingship and popular beliefs in the semi-divine nature of secular kings. It is said to have come from the palace complex at Mandalay which was destroyed during the Second World War and is therefore one of the few large wooden objects to survive from the Court at Mandalay (1853-1885).
Bibliographic references
  • Burmese Art, John Lowry, 1973 A Burmese Buddhist Shrine, pp. 117-132 in V&A Year Book 1972, John Lowry Visions from the Golden Land, Burma and the Art of Lacquer, R.Isaacs & T.R.Blurton pp.126-128, 2000. Clarke, John: Arts of Asia, vol. 45, no. 5, September - October 2015, "The Buddha image in Asia: Phase One of the Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Galleries of Buddhist Art", p.121, pl. 14 and 15. Clarke, John: Arts of Asia, vol. 45, no. 5, September - October 2015, p.121, pl. 14.
  • Burmese art / John Lowry. London: H. M. Stationery Office, 1974 Number: 0112901794 : pls 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.
  • Ayers, J. Oriental Art in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London 1983, ISBN 0-85667-120-7 p. 93
  • Kopania, Izabela; South-East Asia: Studies in art, cultural heritage and artistic relations with Europe; Polish Institute of World Art Studies & Tako Publishing House, 2012, ISBN 978-83-62737-27-7 p. 180, fig. 1; p. 183, figs 4 and 5
  • Orientations; vol. 40. no. 4; May 2009; The Robert H.N. Ho Family Foundation Gallery, Victoria & Albert Museum. Clarke, John: Buddhist Sculpture, p. 40.
Collection
South & South East Asia Collection
Accession number
IS.11:1 to 24, 28 to 31-1969

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Record createdMarch 26, 2001
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O57777/shrine-unknown/
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