Burmese Cast Brass Statue of a Courtly Dancer, signed by Maung Yai

This exceptionally well-cast figure shows an elegant male Burmese court dancer in traditional dress. The figure is mounted on its original carved wooden stand.

The figure stands balanced on one foot and with both arms outstretched with a separately cast brass ribbon draped over both arms and around the back.

The base is stamped with the name ‘MG YAI’ (‘Mg’ usually is short for ‘Maung’ and it appears that this has been double stamped.)

Brass casting such as this was among the ‘cottage crafts’ promoted in Burma by the colonial British.

The statue and stand are in excellent condition. The movement captured is fluid and dynamic and the detail of the costume is meticulous.