Mastery of Design: A Burmese Double Comb, Late Eighteenth Century

Burmese Double-Sided Comb
Late Nineteenth Century
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Made in Burma around 1875, this double-sided, wooden comb is mounted with gold and inlaid with a trellis-work of un-faceted rubies and emeralds the traditional Burmese style. Such a comb would have been the stuff of a Burmese court lady's cosmetic box. These handy boxes were known as a “bi-it.” Aside from combs, they usually held, perfumes, a few tresses of hair (to augment a lady’s hair like a wig-let) and thanahka (powder).


This particular comb is believed to be of royal provenance. The very stringent laws of the Burmese court of Mandalay during the time of the Konbaung Dynasty (1752-1885) restricted the use of precious gemstones to only royalty and courtiers.

Mastery of Design: The Ruby Vase, c. 1850

Vase of Gold and Rubies
Burma, 1850
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Rubies give a fire to this lavish gold vase. The stones are set into grooves which have been carved into the gold. This luxury was made as part of a suite which also included a handsome comb and gold box.  The comb survives.  

With its flaring rim and grooved pattern of spirals, the gold of the vase shimmers in contrast to the sparkle of the closely-set rubies. It was made in the former kingdom of Ava (near Mandalay) in Burma. The vase, box and comb date to around 1850 and was possibly included in the Exposition Universelle de Paris of 1855. Chances are, the suite was made for a high-standing member of the Burmese Royal Family or as a gift for an official of the former court of Ava. 

Mastery of Design: A Burmese Double Comb, Late Eighteenth Century

Burmese Double-Sided Comb
Late Nineteenth Century
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Made in Burma around 1875, this double-sided, wooden comb is mounted with gold and inlaid with a trellis-work of un-faceted rubies and emeralds the traditional Burmese style.  Such a comb would have been the stuff  of a Burmese court lady's cosmetic box.  These handy boxes were known as a “bi-it.”  Aside from combs, they usually held, perfumes, a few tresses of hair (to augment a lady’s hair like a wig-let) and thanahka (powder).

This particular comb is believed to be of royal provenance.  The very stringent laws of the Burmese court of Mandalay during the time of the Konbaung Dynasty (1752-1885) restricted the use of precious gemstones to only royalty and courtiers.