Ceremonial Helmet
ca. 15th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This head-dress set with jewels formed part of a gold hoard dating to the 15th/16th century Mon Kingdom of Pegu (see Model Pagoda 02755(IS)). It was excavated in 1855 from a stupa relic chamber at the base of the Shwe Dagon, Rangoon. It is believed to be the ceremonial helmet worn by the famed Mon Queen Shin-saw-bu (r.1453-1460) as she progressed through her royal city of Pegu. Shaped like a turban the dome is moulded to possibly fit a coiled length of hair which was held in place by the long pin passed through the holes at the base. The unusual appendage with the lozenge shaped depression may have held a jewel and was worn to the front over the queen's nose.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Gold, decorated with gems, raised and further embellished with repoussé and incising work |
| Brief description | Burmese gold headdress shaped like a turban and set with jewels, Mon Kingdom of Pegu, ca. 15th century. |
| Physical description | Headdress shaped as a turban finishing in a flattened fold to the side. The dome, which rests on a flaring coronet set with 62 gems is moulded to possibly fit a coiled length of hair which was held in place by the long pin passed through the holes at the base. The unusual appendage with a lozenge shape depression may have held a jewel and was worn to the front over the nose. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Production type | Unique |
| Gallery label |
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| Object history | Excavated by labourers when building barracks on the site of an old pagoda east of the Shwe Dagon, Rangoon in 1855 |
| Summary | This head-dress set with jewels formed part of a gold hoard dating to the 15th/16th century Mon Kingdom of Pegu (see Model Pagoda 02755(IS)). It was excavated in 1855 from a stupa relic chamber at the base of the Shwe Dagon, Rangoon. It is believed to be the ceremonial helmet worn by the famed Mon Queen Shin-saw-bu (r.1453-1460) as she progressed through her royal city of Pegu. Shaped like a turban the dome is moulded to possibly fit a coiled length of hair which was held in place by the long pin passed through the holes at the base. The unusual appendage with the lozenge shaped depression may have held a jewel and was worn to the front over the queen's nose. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Other number | 7595 - India Museum Slip Book |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 02758(IS) |
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| Record created | March 17, 1999 |
| Record URL |
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