{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O12431"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O12431/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2011ET1159/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2011ET1159/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2011ET1159","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2011ET1158","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2006AF6585","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O12431/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O12431","accessionNumber":"IS.2-1902","objectType":"Double comb","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"This double-sided, wooden comb is mounted with gold and inlaid with a trellis-work of uncut rubies and emeralds in typically Burmese style. The comb would have been one of the items in a Burmese court lady's cosmetic box known as a <i>bi-it</i> together with oil, perfumes, a few tresses of hair and <i>thanahka</i> (powder).\r\n\r\nThis comb is believed to be of royal provenance as the strict sumptuary laws of the Burmese court of Mandalay during the time of the Konbaung Dynasty (1752-1885) restricted the use of precious gemstones to royalty and their courtiers.","physicalDescription":"Double-sided. Wooden teeth set in a framework of gold mounted with rubies and emeralds on either side. The gold frame consists of two concave side-pieces connected by a broad band chased with a trellis pattern: each side of the comb is set with 19 rubies and 24 emeralds.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Unknown","id":"A1848"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"wood","id":"AAT11914"},{"text":"gold","id":"AAT11021"},{"text":"rubies","id":"AAT11082"},{"text":"emerald","id":"AAT11074"}],"techniques":[{"text":"inlay","id":"AAT53850"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Wood and gold, inlaid with rubies and emeralds","categories":[{"text":"Accessories","id":"THES48998"}],"styles":[{"text":"Konbaung","id":"x30379"}],"collectionCode":{"text":"SSEA","id":"THES48598"},"images":["2011ET1159","2011ET1158","2006AF6585"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"47A (VA)","id":"THES49797"},"free":"","case":"15","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Double comb","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Burma","id":"x30037"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"4th quarter 18th century","earliest":"1775-01-01","latest":"1800-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Purchased from Messrs Hasluck[?] Bros, 104 Hatton Garden, London, E.C","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Length","value":"8.2","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"5.1","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"This comb is deemed to be of royal provenance as the strict sumptuary laws of the Burmese court of Mandalay during the time of the Konbaung Dynasty (1752-1885) restricted the use of precious gemstones to royalty and their courtiers. Selected by Mr. Walter crawl from a collection submitted; Placed in the Jewel Room, Burmese Collection in the Museum. \r\n\r\nPurchased from Messrs Hasluck[?] Bros, 104 Hatton Garden, London, E.C. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Museum records (Asia Department registers and/or Central Inventory) as part of a 2023 provenance research project.\r\n\r\nRegistered Papers: 9537/1902","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Burmese double-sided wood comb mounted with gold inlaid with rubies and emeralds. Konbaung Dynasty (1752-1885), ca. late 18th century.","bibliographicReferences":[{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"Nandagopal, Choodamani. \"Burmese Jewellery From the Collection of The V&A\".\r\nin <font -u>The Art of Burma - New Studies; ed. Donald M. Stadtner\r\nMarg Publications, Mumbai 1999. 178p., ill."}],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"Unique","id":"THES48864"},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[{"text":"Comb\r\n1775–1825\r\nKonbaung period\r\nDuring the Konbaung period the use of precious stones was\r\nlimited by law to royalty and the nobility. This sumptuously\r\nmade comb would have belonged to a courtier or a member\r\nof the royal family.\r\nGold, wood, emeralds and rubies\r\nBurma (probably Amarapura or Ava, now Inwa)\r\nMuseum no. 2-1902","date":{"text":"14/06/2011","earliest":"2011-06-14","latest":"2011-06-14"}}],"partNumbers":["IS.2-1902"],"accessionNumberNum":"2","accessionNumberPrefix":"IS","accessionYear":1902,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2025-04-16","recordCreationDate":"1999-11-30","availableToBook":false}}