Portrait of a Padaung woman

Southeast Asian Collection

Accession Nr.: 89.20.1
Type: painting
Date of production:
1958
Place of production:
Signed: Tin Shwe?
Marks: '58
Materials/Techniques: paper, watercolour
Dimensions: height: 62.5 cm
width: 50 cm
A distinctive piece of costume worn by women of the Padaung (also known as Kayan Lawi) tribe is this spectacular necklace of brass rings, which over the years can cause a significant defomination of the wearer's neck. The Myanmar artist depicts her model in the splendour of her folk costume, the tones chosen further enhancing the inner harmony radiating from the person she portrays.