Queen's Robe of State
1860-1880 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This is the elaborate robe of state specially created for one of the chief queens of King Mindon, the penultimate king of the Konbaung Dynasty (1752-1885), who ruled Burma from 1853 to 1878.
Strict sumptuary laws applied to every aspect of life at the court of the Konbaung kings and this particularly applied to dress. Almost every article of clothing was indicative of the individual's rank. The decorative elements and the style of this robe could only have been worn by a person of the queen's rank. Such apparel drew on Indian silver and gilt embroidery work and was inspired by 18th century Thai court dress. Composed of layer upon layer of green velvet and gold decorated pieces with wing-like projections it was not only intended to distinguish the queen from her courtiers, but to suggest an identification with the gods.
However, the Konbaung Dynasty came to an end in 1885 when the entire kingdom came under British rule following a process of annexation throughout the 19th century, and the royal family was exiled to India. This robe of state was purchased by the donor while serving as a Divisional Judge in Burma at the beginning of the 20th century.
Strict sumptuary laws applied to every aspect of life at the court of the Konbaung kings and this particularly applied to dress. Almost every article of clothing was indicative of the individual's rank. The decorative elements and the style of this robe could only have been worn by a person of the queen's rank. Such apparel drew on Indian silver and gilt embroidery work and was inspired by 18th century Thai court dress. Composed of layer upon layer of green velvet and gold decorated pieces with wing-like projections it was not only intended to distinguish the queen from her courtiers, but to suggest an identification with the gods.
However, the Konbaung Dynasty came to an end in 1885 when the entire kingdom came under British rule following a process of annexation throughout the 19th century, and the royal family was exiled to India. This robe of state was purchased by the donor while serving as a Divisional Judge in Burma at the beginning of the 20th century.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 5 parts.
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| Materials and techniques | |
| Brief description | Queen's Robe of State. Five tailored pieces decorated with velvet, silk, gold braid, silver-gilt tinsel, sequins and gold lace. Mandalay, Burma, Konbaung period, 1860-80. |
| Physical description | Five tailored and shaped sumptuously decorated pieces which were worn layer on layer culminating in a costume which when seen from a distance created the image of a legendary apsara - heavenly flying creature. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Production type | Unique |
| Credit line | Purchased from L. M. Parlett, Esq. |
| Object history | This costume was specially created for one of the chief queens of King Mindon (r.1853-78). The decorative elements could have been worn only by a person of her rank. Purchased by Mr. L.M. Parlett while serving as a Divisional Judge in Burma at the beginning of the 20th century.;; Purchased from L. M. Parlett, Esq., Inglewood, Bath Road, Reading. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Museum records (Asia Department registers and/or Central Inventory) as part of a 2023 provenance research project. RP 1911-5059M |
| Production | Attribution note: Technique and style of decoration refer to 19th century Konbaung Dynasty. |
| Summary | This is the elaborate robe of state specially created for one of the chief queens of King Mindon, the penultimate king of the Konbaung Dynasty (1752-1885), who ruled Burma from 1853 to 1878. Strict sumptuary laws applied to every aspect of life at the court of the Konbaung kings and this particularly applied to dress. Almost every article of clothing was indicative of the individual's rank. The decorative elements and the style of this robe could only have been worn by a person of the queen's rank. Such apparel drew on Indian silver and gilt embroidery work and was inspired by 18th century Thai court dress. Composed of layer upon layer of green velvet and gold decorated pieces with wing-like projections it was not only intended to distinguish the queen from her courtiers, but to suggest an identification with the gods. However, the Konbaung Dynasty came to an end in 1885 when the entire kingdom came under British rule following a process of annexation throughout the 19th century, and the royal family was exiled to India. This robe of state was purchased by the donor while serving as a Divisional Judge in Burma at the beginning of the 20th century. |
| Associated object | |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | IM.45 to B, E, F-1912 |
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| Record created | September 20, 1999 |
| Record URL |
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