Antique/Vintage Female Burmese Dancer with Gold Sarong (T054)

Description

Statues like this were used throughout Burma as temple decorations, ornaments and ceremonial figures symbolizing beauty, grace, and spiritual dance offerings  This ancient tradition existed throughout Buddhist Burma in court and provincial traditions. This finely painted and carved female dancer is in a lyrical pose often performed in classical dance throughout Southeast Asia. Although in a very difficult pose with heels together and feet widely spread apart, she appears completely in balance, relaxed and composed. The left arm raised and the other extended downward and her expressively face tilted to her right, she looks up as if she is performing as an offering to the gods and ancestors.

Unlike statues of court dancers who are garbed in stylized official costumes and elaborate headdresses in traditional exaggerated poses, she is depicted as warm, natural and unassuming suggesting her provincial origins. Her soft, serene and natural facial features are depicted with simply-painted arched brows, almond-shaped eyes, and red lips. Her top is bare, and she wears a modest Burmese sarong-like garment called a longyi. The longyi is a Burmese tradition and worn as daily attire by all segments of society but not used as ceremonial court attire. Her longyi has a gilded “bejeweled” surface of reflective colored glass and sequins with raised borders that emphasize her body’s natural flow.

Carved in early 20^th century, the observable surface wear, some paint losses and discolorations reflect this statue’s age, exposure and cultural use. In very good condition with a nicely weathered patina, she is secured on a transparent Lucite base and elevated on a pole as if floating in motion.