Pair of Burmese Wooden Kneeling Monks – Mandalay Style – Mid-20th Century

Two young monks at prayer

These two hand-carved wooden figures of novice monks come from Burma (Myanmar) and are made in the Mandalay style of the mid-20th century. Both kneel with their feet tucked back and to the side. One holds his hands together in anjali, the gesture of greeting and respect; the other rests his hands on his knees. Each has a shaven head, inlaid eyes and a wide smile.

Materials and decoration

The skin is painted white over a dark ground, and the robe is finished in red-orange lacquer. A gilt sash carved in relief crosses one shoulder, decorated with scrollwork, small metal and mirrored studs, and green and red glass inlay in the Burmese glass-mosaic technique known as hmanzi. A band runs around each ankle.

Condition

The pair has not been restored to look new. The white layer is strongly crackled, and on the faces, heads, arms and hands it has flaked away in places down to the dark ground. The fingertips of the praying figure are damaged and some of the glass inlay is missing. Most of the red lacquer survives and is still glossy, with wear on the knees and feet. There is no visible break through either body.

Object details

• Origin: Burma (Myanmar)
• Style and date: Mandalay style, mid-20th century
• Material: hand-carved wood, white paint, red lacquer, gilt sash with glass inlay
• Praying figure, height × width: 22 × 15 cm
• Figure with hands on the knees, height × width: 22.5 × 15 cm
• Combined weight: 1.6 kg
• SKU: 841

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