261 - MYANMAR

MYANMAR Khon dancer. Polychrome lacquered and gilded wood. Dance, an important element of festive rituals and court ceremonies, is a favorite theme among Burmese artists, magnificently represented by this figure, of which only part of the hairstyle has been lost, revealing a section of authentic hair. The dancer is clad in a long, puffy red sampot held at the waist by a drape that falls over the lower back and flares out like an anchor, over two panels trimmed with braid and embroidered with flowers, ending in elegant scrolls at the sides near the knees. Over the undershirt, a leotard with epaulets and ribbed flounces hugs the torso; a multicolored scarf falls down the back in two dragon-tail-shaped points, revealing a Chinese influence. The panels, which appear to float, effectively convey the dancer’s movements: the head raised in a three-quarter profile with a smiling expression, the twisted torso, the arm gestures, and the position of the hands suggest the beginning of a pirouette captured as a snapshot. The care taken with every aspect of the sculpture shows that this very well-preserved figure was intended to be viewed from all angles and demonstrates the skill of Burmese sculptors in depicting movement and life with harmonious realism in this work of great beauty, a remarkable testament to classical art. Appraisal by Lee Sons Gallery—Southeast Asian Art, Paris, December 1990. Enclosed is the certificate of authenticity signed by Lee Thanapoomikul, dating our sculpture to the 18th century. H.: 46 cm