AGE: Early 19th Century Second Innwa (Nyaungyan Period) CONSTRUCTION: Alabaster HEIGHT: 60cm WIDTH: 30cm (flanges) DEPTH: 24cm #803 – PRICE: CONTACT
A Rare Burmese Alabaster Crowned Statue dating to the Nyaungyan Period with side flanges and a tall rounded headpiece with a carved pronged band around the forehead resembling a crown, large earrings, kneeling on a double lotus pedestal and wearing the regalia of someone of high status or who has attained noble status within the royal court.
A few of the more prominent officials and ministers in Burmese historical books seen in photographs taken during the 19th century wear a high-domed headpiece such as the one seen on this statue. It is possible seeing as the Burmese refer to this particular style as a “Celestial being with costume” and that this style is rarely seen, that it may be representative of a high official who was in service of the King and attained the same status as a monk, our initial thoughts when looking at this statue was that it was a praying monk.
One of the most prominent Lords during the 19th century was Hpangyet Wundauk, the deputy minister for glass works who had been educated in France, obtaining a diploma in civil engineering from the Central School in Paris and was a member of another highly respected and important official Kinwun Mingyi’s mission to the court of St. James in England and was one of the authors of the treaty of goodwill and commerce between France and Burma.
Some famous Burmese high officials who have served the kings of Burma are also represented in the pantheon of 37 Nats. The Nat Min Mahagiri is also depicted wearing a high domed headpiece and was according to legend an ordinary person who gained notoriety for his strength and running afoul of the king, he along with his sister became the guardian spirits of Pagan.
