Two Burmese Textiles, mid C20th

Current Bid: £30.00
Bid Increment: £2.00
Next Min Bid: £32.00

Buyer’s Premium: £7.20
Total Amount: £37.20

Number of Bids: 5
Location: United Kingdom
Highest Bidder: User 1355

Auction Start: 15/05/24 22:10:00 UTC
Auction Ending: 29/05/24 19:10:00 UTC
Auction Finished : 29/05/24 19:10:01 UTC
LOT NUMBER 6
Bid next increment
Leave or increase maximum bid
LOT NUMBER 6

Two Burmese Textiles, mid C20th

A pair of Burmese wall hangings, heavily embroidered with circular panels, one depicting the ‘Burmese Lion’ and the other two fish, both elements in the Burmese Signs of the Zodiac, which follow the Western Zodiac closely, suggesting that these two hangings may derive from an original set of twelve, the decoration sewn onto a brown fabric backing which forms the border.

The distinctive style of embroidery and applied work here is typical of Burmese work known as ‘Kalaga’ which means ‘curtain’ in Burmese and is used to refer to heavily embroidered appliqué tapestry sewn with a technique called ‘shwe gyi do’. First produced around 150 years ago, Kalagas are generally linen, silk, cotton or velvet background fabrics embellished with sequins, embroidery, beads, coloured stones, tiny pearls, coral, braids and metal threads, the choice of materials depending in part on the client’s budget. Cotton padding was used to produce the ‘3D’ effect seen here and on many other examples of the work. The elaborate decoration meant that some of the larger pieces could take many months to produce. These two panels are an excellent example of the genre with the lavish use of gold thread. They have survived in excellent condition and can decorate an interior today in the same way that they graced the interiors of the makers’ contemporaries. Dating is difficult and a mid C20th attribution is probably sensible but an earlier period of manufacture is quite possible.

Size: c40cm square
Weight: 500gm
Date: mid C20th
Condition: Eexcellent condition with no visible loss to the sewn and applied decoration
Estimate: £40 – 60

Global shipping is available. We use standard Royal Mail Tracked and Signed For service.

If you would like a quote for the shipping cost please email us at shipping@intercollector.com.

Please see our Terms and Conditions Section 13 for more details. 

Dispatched usually within 5 days from receipt of payment.