Manuthiha, Guardian at the Shwe-Dagon Pagoda
Photograph
1852 (photographed)
1852 (photographed)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
A manuthiha is a seated creature with a human head and the body of a lion. Believed to ward off danger, they are sometimes found guarding the corners of a pagoda. The Shwe-Dagon Pagoda,where this is one of many such figures, is dated to about 600 AD.
John McCosh was a doctor and amateur photographer stationed in Burma during the Anglo-Burmese War of 1852. This rare photograph is one of the earliest surviving images of the region.
John McCosh was a doctor and amateur photographer stationed in Burma during the Anglo-Burmese War of 1852. This rare photograph is one of the earliest surviving images of the region.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Titles |
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| Materials and techniques | calotype |
| Brief description | 'Corner of great Pagoda' by John McCosh, calotype, Burma, 1850s |
| Physical description | This photograph shows a European man in uniform standing infront of a manuthiha, a seated creature with a human nead and the body of a lion. |
| Dimensions |
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| Gallery label | Manuthiha, Guardian at the Shwe-Dagon Pagoda
Rangoon (Yangon), About AD 600
By John McCosh (1805–85)
A manuthiha is a seated creature with a human head and the body of a lion. Believed to ward off danger, they are sometimes found guarding the corners of a pagoda. John McCosh was a doctor and amateur photographer stationed in Burma during the Anglo-Burmese War of 1852. This rare photograph is one of the earliest surviving images of the region. [60 words]
Albumen print, 1852–3
Museum no. 85,300 |
| Subject depicted | |
| Place depicted | |
| Summary | A manuthiha is a seated creature with a human head and the body of a lion. Believed to ward off danger, they are sometimes found guarding the corners of a pagoda. The Shwe-Dagon Pagoda,where this is one of many such figures, is dated to about 600 AD. John McCosh was a doctor and amateur photographer stationed in Burma during the Anglo-Burmese War of 1852. This rare photograph is one of the earliest surviving images of the region. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 85300 |
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| Record created | December 12, 2006 |
| Record URL |
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