Burmese Official and Wife and Secretary in Ceremonial Dress, 1800, Paper

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Burmese State Official, His Wife, and a Secretary in Ceremonial Dress – Antique Costume Print, circa 1800 This finely executed … Read more Burmese State Official, His Wife, and a Secretary in Ceremonial Dress – Antique Costume Print, circa 1800 This finely executed Dutch engraving titled “Staats-Dienaar en Zijn Vrouw – Staats-Secretaris – Allen in Hunne Staatskleedij” (“State Official and His Wife – State Secretary – All in Their Ceremonial Dress”) offers a rich depiction of Burmese court officials and their spouses in full formal attire. Dating to around 1800, this scene belongs to a rare series of prints documenting the ceremonial hierarchy of the Burmese royal court, likely drawn from visual material associated with Michael Symes’ 1795 embassy to the Kingdom of Ava. At left stands the wife of a state official, gracefully holding a folding fan. She is dressed in a richly patterned long skirt and a delicate shawl draped diagonally across her torso. Her appearance is elegant and composed, her hair arranged in a style appropriate to her high status. In the center is the Burmese state official, dressed in a long, flowing robe and wearing a tall ceremonial headdress. He holds a circular fan of authority and wears a large medallion or insignia on his chest, signifying rank. His layered garments are carefully engraved to show embroidered textures and ornamental trim. To the right is a state secretary, similarly attired in formal robes with a fan slung over his shoulder. Though slightly more modest in dress than the central figure, his posture and garments still reflect his important position within the courtly bureaucracy. These figures represent the structured nature of Burmese governance during the Konbaung dynasty, and the attention paid to clothing as a marker of role and rank. The inclusion of both male and female figures also illustrates the ceremonial participation of elite women in public life. Condition: Crisp impression with visible plate marks. Original folds as issued; faint toning along folds and minor edge creasing. No tears or losses. Paper is full-margined and well preserved. Framing tips: Best presented in a classic black or dark wood frame with a wide ivory mat. Floating the sheet will allow full appreciation of the engraved border and symmetry of the composition. Technique: Copper engraving Maker: A. Vinkeles, Netherlands, circa 1800 See less