Antique/Vintage Male Burmese Dancer Gold Sarong (T055)

Description

Southeast Asian classical dance traditions all seek to entertain the living, please the gods in the heavens and ancestors in their afterlife. 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 male dancer is completely in balance, relaxed and composed. The right arm is raised and the holds a drum like often performed in classical dance throughout Southeast Asia. His expressive face tilted to his right, he looks up as if he 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, he is depicted as warm, natural and unassuming suggesting his provincial origins. His soft, serene and natural facial features are depicted with simply-painted arched brows, almond-shaped eyes, and red lips. He wears a modest Burmese sarong-like garment called a longyi. The longyi is a Burmese tradition and worn as daily attire by males and females in all segments of society but not used as ceremonial court attire. His 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, he is secured on a transparent Lucite base and elevated on a pole as if floating in motion.

This statue was likely originally displayed together with  the Burmese Female Dancer (T054).  Their appearance is enhanced by displaying them as a pair.