Minister's military court costume, Mandalay  

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Object-Minister's military court costume
Date-3rd quarter 19th century

Techniques- (Minister's military court robe) Benares braid or locally made yet-pya, spiral cords, sequins and hollow European beads moulded with gilt sequins on imported velvet; lining of imported silk or silk-cotton

(Collar (neckwear)) Velvet, embroidered with silver-gilt cord, sequins and narrow strips of crinkled gold
(Chest panel) Velvet, embroidered with silver-gilt cord, sequins and narrow strips of crinkled gold
(Shirt) Fine cotton muslin
(Hat) Velvet, with sequined embroidery
(Sword) Forged steel, with a carved ivory handle mounted with repousséd silver
(Sword sheath) Wood and copper wire, partly mounted with silver

Place- Mandalay (City), Burma

Dimensions
(Minister's military court robe) Length 128 cm
(Minister's military court robe) Width 45 cm (across chest)
(Collar (neckwear)) Circumference 176 cm (maximum)
(Chest panel) Height 21 cm
(Chest panel) Width 21.5 cm
(Shirt) Length 66 cm (shoulder to hem)
(Shirt) Width 39 cm (across shoulders)
(Shirt) Length 55 cm (sleeve)
(Hat) Height 12 cm
(Hat) Circumference 56 cm (approx.)
(Sword) Length 80 cm
(Sword) Length 22.5 cm (handle)
(Sword sheath) Length 59.5 cm

Current Location- Victoria&Albert Museum
Museum number- IM.44 to E, G, H-1912

This ceremonial military costume of gold encrusted green and plum coloured velvet, was specially created for a secretary of state, or Atwinwun, who served both King Mindon (r.1852-1878) and King Thibaw (r.1878-1885) at the Court of Mandalay.

Consisting of a long robe fitted with scalloped and winged breast and back plates and spectacular "cloud collar" under which was worn a wrap skirt called a pah-soe. The ensemble was completed with a hat fashioned like a headband fitted with ear and neck pieces. Worn on state occasions, the colour of this costume, as well as the degree of ornamentation, would have immediately indicated the minister's rank.

This entry was posted on Jun 13, 2009 at Saturday, June 13, 2009 and is filed under . You can follow any responses to this entry through the comments feed .

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