Skirt
ca. 1850 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This detail of a beautifully patterned cotton and silk wrap-skirt known as a
hta-mein, dating to before 1855, would have been worn on festive occasions by a fashionable Arakanese woman. It would have been worn overlapping slightly in the front revealing a portion of her leg as she walked. Typical of hta-mein, the centre silk panel is the focus of decorative interest and displays the unique horizontal wave patterned "100 shuttles" interlocking tapestry weave known in Burmese as acheik-luntaya in golden yellow, mid-green, red and white. From this flows a striped coral train the graceful management of which was an acquired skill. It would have been part of an ensemble when worn with an ein-gyi (fitted jacket) and yinzi (breast cloth).
The Arakanese, who inhabit the western coastal area of Burma, ruled their own kingdom until 1784 when they were conquered by the Burmese. In culture and dress they are very similar to the Burmese.
hta-mein, dating to before 1855, would have been worn on festive occasions by a fashionable Arakanese woman. It would have been worn overlapping slightly in the front revealing a portion of her leg as she walked. Typical of hta-mein, the centre silk panel is the focus of decorative interest and displays the unique horizontal wave patterned "100 shuttles" interlocking tapestry weave known in Burmese as acheik-luntaya in golden yellow, mid-green, red and white. From this flows a striped coral train the graceful management of which was an acquired skill. It would have been part of an ensemble when worn with an ein-gyi (fitted jacket) and yinzi (breast cloth).
The Arakanese, who inhabit the western coastal area of Burma, ruled their own kingdom until 1784 when they were conquered by the Burmese. In culture and dress they are very similar to the Burmese.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Cotton damask and silk cloth of luntaya (interlocking tapestry weave) |
| Brief description | Burmese multi-coloured cotton and silk hta-mein. Konbaung Dynasty (1752-1885). ca. 1850. Acheik-luntaya patterned area. |
| Physical description | Composed of three parts. A red cotton waistband (w.68.5 cm) joined to a strip of acheik (horizontal wave patterned) silk textile with checkered end borders of golden yellow, mid-green, red and white (w.63.5 cm.) to which is attached a separately woven pink silk train partly patterned with fine horizontal stripes in red, yellow and purple (w.45.5 cm.) These components are hand stitched together. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Style | |
| Production | Attributed to an Arakanese lady. Acquired by the India Museum in 1855. |
| Summary | This detail of a beautifully patterned cotton and silk wrap-skirt known as a hta-mein, dating to before 1855, would have been worn on festive occasions by a fashionable Arakanese woman. It would have been worn overlapping slightly in the front revealing a portion of her leg as she walked. Typical of hta-mein, the centre silk panel is the focus of decorative interest and displays the unique horizontal wave patterned "100 shuttles" interlocking tapestry weave known in Burmese as acheik-luntaya in golden yellow, mid-green, red and white. From this flows a striped coral train the graceful management of which was an acquired skill. It would have been part of an ensemble when worn with an ein-gyi (fitted jacket) and yinzi (breast cloth). The Arakanese, who inhabit the western coastal area of Burma, ruled their own kingdom until 1784 when they were conquered by the Burmese. In culture and dress they are very similar to the Burmese. |
| Bibliographic reference | Fraser-Lu, Sylvia. Handwoven Textiles of South-East Asia
Oxford University Press: 1988. 50 & 88p., ill.
Fraser-Lu, Sylvia Burmese Crafts: Past and Present
Oxford University Press: 1994. 262p., ill. |
| Other number | 3738 - India Museum Slip Book |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 4396(IS) |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | May 25, 1999 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
