Object-Photograph
Place of origin-Burma (photographed)
Date-1855
Artist/Maker- Tripe, Linnaeus (photographer)
Materials and Techniques-Salted paper print from waxed paper (calotype) negative
Museum number-1596-1909

Shwe-Dagon is the most important pagoda and pilgrimage site in Myanmar. The structure dates from about 600 AD. In this near view, the main zedi (pagoda) is covered in a scaffolding of bamboo. The structure was put up to enable the regilding of the zedi with gold leaf, an operation that routinely happens to this day. The trees in the foreground are today replaced with a wide forecourt dotted with smaller zedi and shrines.
Linneaus Tripe created one of earliest photographic records of Burma (Myanmar). His reputation as a photographer developed in India where he was employed in the East India Company army. Appointed to accompany the first British diplomatic mission to Burma in 1855, he was instructed to record information about the country. Tripe took over 100 images, demonstrating his skill in observation and composition. He used calotypes or paper negatives, which gave the prints a ‘soft-focus’ look.
Physical description
This image shows one large zedi (pagoda) with several smaller ones nearby. The main zedi is covered in a scaffolding of bamboo. There are trees surrounding the structures.

Object history note

This photograph was one of a series from 'Burma Views' which was presented to the V&A in July 1909 by Lady Ida Low, wife of Malcolm Low, Esq., of the Bengal Civil Service and daughter-in-law of General Sri John Low. As a member of the Council of India in 1857, Sir John Low received the Burma Views (1857) set on 15th April 1857. See Registry files for papers on acceptance of gift. See Dewan p.255 for listings of other copies of the same photograph elsewhere.
This photograph was published in the album Burma Views 1857, by Captain L. Tripe, official photographer to the Government of India's Mission to Ava [Burma]. Tripe made over 200 photographs during this trip, and the captions to the images are thought to be a collaboration between Tripe and the secretary to the Mission to Ava, Henry Yule.
Tripe’s Burma Views were distributed widely and were very well received. Tripe sent 50 copies to Calcutta. Fourteen sets from these were distributed by the Government of India, including seven sets to members of the Mission to Ava, former capital of Burma. Twenty sets were ordered by the East India Company’s Court of Directors, and most were given to members of the Court. It is not known what happened to the remaining sixteen sets. Due to Tripe’s ownership of the negatives, he printed a selection of his photographs for further distribution. A set of 92 views of Burma was given to the King of Prussia, and more sets were given to the Madras Photographic Society and associated figures. Two hundred and ninety additional prints were offered for sale at 2 Rupees per print at Griffiths and Co., Madras
Historical context note
In April 1855 Lord Dalhousie, governor general of India, advised on a political trip to Amerapoora, Burma following the annexation of Pengu (part of Burma) by the British after the 1852 Anglo-Burmese war. Tripe was sent to accompany the party in 1855 as official photographer. The photographs he made during his stay resulted in his album of 122 images, Burma Views, published in 1857. These photographs result from this project, and have Tripe’s original numbering and titles on their mounts.
Descriptive line
Photograph, 19th century, No. 115 from series 'Burma Views' by Linnaeus Tripe, 'Rangoon. Near view of the [Shwe Dagon] Pagoda', albumen print, Burma, 1855
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Dewan, Janet. The Photographs of Linnaeus Tripe: A Catalogue Raisonné. Toronto: Art Gallery of Ontario, 2003, p.307.
Labels and date
Near View of the Shwe-Dagon Pagoda Rangoon (Yangon), About AD 600 By Linnaeus Tripe (1822–1902)
Shwe-Dagon is the most important pagoda and pilgrimage site in Myanmar. Here, the main zedi is covered in a scaffolding of bamboo. The structure was put up to enable the regilding of the zedi with gold leaf, an operation that routinely happens to this day. The trees in the foreground are today replaced with a wide forecourt dotted with smaller zedi and shrines. [63 words]
Albumen print, 1855 Museum no. 1596-1909
Associated names - Tripe, Linnaeus

Attribution Note
Edition number unknown. This print was probably made to go into the album 'Burma Views', of which 50 full sets were produced. Additional prints were produced by Tripe for different sets of Burma images.

Photographs; Architecture; Buddhism
Production Type and Product Note
Limited edition