Shwemawdaw Pagoda in Pegu – Antique Engraving of the Great Temple of Burma, circa 1800
This majestic antique Dutch engraving titled “De Sjoemadoe, of de Groote Tempel, te Pegu” (“The Shwemawdaw, or the Great Temple, at Pegu”) presents a striking early European depiction of one of Burma’s most significant religious monuments. The image dates from around 1800 and likely accompanied a Dutch translation of an 18th-century travel narrative, such as that of Michael Symes, who visited the Burmese Empire in 1795.
The engraving shows the Shwemawdaw Pagoda rising in grandeur from its wide square platform. The stupa’s bell-shaped profile is stepped at the base and surmounted by a highly ornate, multi-tiered hti (umbrella finial), typical of Burmese Buddhist architecture. Around the central pagoda are rows of smaller stupas and spires, enhancing the monument’s visual symmetry and sacred geometry. Tiny figures at the base provide scale, emphasizing the enormous size and importance of the temple complex.
The Shwemawdaw Pagoda, located in modern-day Bago (formerly Pegu), has been a vital religious site for over 1,000 years and is considered the tallest pagoda in Myanmar, surpassing even the famous Shwedagon in height. Revered by Theravāda Buddhists, it is believed to house sacred relics of the Buddha, including hair relics, making it a destination of pilgrimage for centuries.
This engraving reflects Enlightenment Europe’s growing fascination with Southeast Asian civilizations and their architectural and religious achievements. It served both as a visual document of a distant culture and as a symbol of the scale and splendor of non-European sacred traditions.
Condition: Very good, with deep plate impression and clean paper. Original vertical folds, as issued. Light toning along folds and minor edge creases, but no tears or losses. Full margins preserved.
Framing tips: Display in a wide-format frame with a soft beige or parchment mount. A dark teak or satin black wood frame will complement the bold architectural lines and draw attention to the temple’s form.
Technique: Copper engraving Maker: Anonymous Dutch engraver, Netherlands, circa 1800
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