Large Framed Burmese Embroidered Silk Kalaga. Depicts a colorfully adorned elephant. 

Condition: Minor fabric damage. 

Overall Size: 39 1/2 x 40 3/4 in. 

Sight Size: 33 1/2 x 34 1/2 in. 

Kalaga is a heavily embroidered appliqué tapestry made of silk, flannel, felt, wool and lace against a background made of cotton or velvet indigenous to Burma (Myanmar). The word kalaga, which means “curtain,” comes from the Burmese language, although Burmese primarily refer to such tapestries as shwe gyi do (translated as “gold thread embroidery”). This artform emerged during the Konbaung Dynasty in the mid 19th Century and reached its zenith during the reign of Mindon Min, when velvet became fashionable at the royal court. In a typical tapestry, padded figures are cut from various types of cloth and sewn onto a background of usually red or black cloth to form an elaborate scene, traditionally from Burmese classical plays like the Ramayana and Jataka. The figures are sewn using a combination of metallic and plain threads and adorned with sequins, beads and glass stones. The style has proved extremely popular since the dawn of the 20th Century in Southeast Asia and the technique has spread to nearby countries, particularly India. 

Minor fabric damage. 

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