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The Shwe Dagon is Burma's most revered Buddhist temple. It is of ancient origin, according to legend founded in the 6th century BC when two merchant brothers encountered the Buddha and received eight of his hairs which they took back to Burma and enshrined. Its documented history begins from the 14th century from which date successive Burmese rulers embellished it. The main shrine is built in the characteristic Burmese form of stupa or zedi, and is gilded a bright and dazzling gold. It stands on a terraced platform on Singuttara Hill, surrounded by many other shrines and pavilions. The stupa bell-shaped body narrows to a pointed spire culminating in a hti or umbrella and rests on a series of square and octagonal terraces. The main stupa is surrounded by sixty-four satellite stupas and by statues of manuthihas (sphinxes) and chinthes (leogryphs), traditional guardian figures of Burmese temples.
SD 1
Shoay Dagone Pagoda, Rangoon
Philipp Klier, 1880s
Photo: 8.25" x 11 (21 x 27.5 cm)
Frame: 14" x 16.5" (36 x 42 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
SD 2
Scene on Shwe Dagone Pagoda, Rangoon
Philipp Klier, c1903
Photo: 8.25" x 11 (21 x 27.5 cm)
Frame: 14" x 16.5" (36 x 42 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
SD 3
Entrance of Shwe Dagon Pagoda, Rangoon
Philipp Klier, 1903
Photo: 8.25" x 11 (21 x 27.5 cm)
Frame: 14" x 16.5" (36 x 42 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
SD 4
South Entrance of Shwe Dagon Pagoda
Philipp Klier, 1890s
Photo: 11" x 8.25" (27.5 x 21 cm)
Frame: 16.5" x 14" (42 x 36 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
SD 5
The South Entrance to the Shwe Dagon Pagoda
Bourne & Shepherd, 1887
Photo: 8.25" x 11 (21 x 27.5 cm)
Frame: 14" x 16.5" (36 x 42 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
In 1887 the South entrance was modernized but the basic structure of the old entrance which dates back to 1841 was kept. The entrance as seen in the photo still exist but is obscured by an additional structure which was built in front of it in 1903.
SD 6
Gaudamas Shwe Dagon Pagoda, Rangoon
Philipp Klier, 1890s
Photo: 11" x 8.25" (27.5 x 21 cm)
Frame: 16.5" x 14" (42 x 36 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
SD 7
Shrine Shoay Dagone Pagoda
Philipp Klier, 1895
Photo: 11" x 8.25" (27.5 x 21 cm)
Frame: 16.5" x 14" (42 x 36 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
SD 8
Burmese Glass Mosaic, Rangoon
Philipp Klier, c1900
Photo: 11" x 8.25" (27.5 x 21 cm)
Frame: 16.5" x 14" (42 x 36 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
SD 9
South Entrance of Shwe Dagon Pagoda
Linnaeus Tripe, 1855
Photo: 11" x 8.25" (27.5 x 21 cm)
Frame: 16.5" x 14" (42 x 36 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
The old south entrance to the Shwedagon Pagoda. The brick gateway with the two shrines and demon guardians was built by King Tharrawaddy (r. 1837-46) during his state visit to Rangoon in 1841. Although obscured by added-on pavillions the remnants of the old gate are still visible today including the demon guards.
SD 10
Southern Gateway to the Shwe Dagon Pagoda
August Sachtler, c. 1867
Photo: 11" x 8.25" (27.5 x 21 cm)
Frame: 16.5" x 14" (42 x 36 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
The old south entrance to the Shwedagon Pagoda. The brick gateway with the two shrines and demon guardians was built by King Tharrawaddy (r. 1837-46) during his state visit to Rangoon in 1841. Although obscured by added-on pavillions the remnants of the old gate are still visible today including the demon guards.
SD 11
The Southern and Principal Entrance Approach
to the Shwe Dagon Pagoda
August Sachtler, c. 1867
Photo: 22" x 8.25" (56.5 x 21 cm)
Frame: 33" x 14" (84 x 36 cm)
Framed: USD 100
Unframed: USD 40
SD 12
General View of the Shwe Dagon Pagoda from South
Bourne and Shepherd, c. 1875
Photo: 11" x 8.25" (27.5 x 21 cm)
Frame: 16.5" x 14" (42 x 36 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
SD 13
View from S.W. angle of Shwe Dagon Pagoda
Bourne & Shepherd, c.1873
Photo: 11" x 8.25" (27.5 x 21 cm)
Frame: 16.5" x 14" (42 x 36 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
SD 14
Morning Prayer, Rangoon
Philipp Klier, 1880s
Photo: 11" x 8.25" (27.5 x 21 cm)
Frame: 16.5" x 14" (42 x 36 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
SD 15
East Corner Shwedagon Pagoda, Rangoon
Philipp Klier, 1890s
Photo: 11" x 8.25" (27.5 x 21 cm)
Frame: 16.5" x 14" (42 x 36 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
SD 16
Entrance of Shwe Dagone Pagoda, Rangoon
Philipp Klier, c. 1900
Photo: 11" x 8.25" (27.5 x 21 cm)
Frame: 16.5" x 14" (42 x 36 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
SD 17
Shoay Dagon Pagoda, from Public Gardens
J. Jackson, c. 1868
Photo: 11" x 8.25" (27.5 x 21 cm)
Frame: 16.5" x 14" (42 x 36 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
SD 18
From Cantonment Gardens Rangoon, 2324
Bourne & Shepherd, c. 1873
Photo: 11" x 8.25" (27.5 x 21 cm)
Frame: 16.5" x 14" (42 x 36 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
SD 19
Shwe Dagon Temple
J. Jackson, c. 1868
Photo: 11" x 8.25" (27.5 x 21 cm)
Frame: 16.5" x 14" (42 x 36 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
The Shwedagon was regilded in 1869 and received a new Hti (umbrella) in 1871. This photo was taken prior to the regilding, sometime between 1865 and 1868.
SD 20
Shoee Dagon Pagoda
J. Jackson, c. 1872
Photo: 11" x 8.25" (27.5 x 21 cm)
Frame: 16.5" x 14" (42 x 36 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
The photograph above was taken after the Shwedagon Pagoda had been regilded. The new Hti (umbrella) which was installed in November of 1871 can also be seen. The photo was taken after the scaffolding had been removed probably in December 1871 or in January 1872.
SD 21
Canntoment Park Shwe Dagon
J. Jackson, 1870s
Photo: 11" x 8.25" (27.5 x 21 cm)
Frame: 16.5" x 14" (42 x 36 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
The Cantonment Park is now called Kan Taw Mingalar Garden. It is situated southwest of the Shwedagon Pagoda. The gold on the pagoda has already been weathered. The photograph was probably taken at the end of the 1870s.
SD 22
From Cantonment Gardens
Bourne and Shepherd, c. 1875
Photo: 11" x 8.25" (27.5 x 21 cm)
Frame: 16.5" x 14" (42 x 36 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
SD 23
Shwe Dagon Pagoda
J. Jackson c. 1880
Photo: 11" x 8.25" (27.5 x 21 cm)
Frame: 16.5" x 14" (42 x 36 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
SD 24
Tazoung at Shwe Dagon Pagoda
Unknown, 1870s
Photo: 11" x 8.25" (27.5 x 21 cm)
Frame: 16.5" x 14" (42 x 36 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
SD 25
Shwe Dagon Pagoda
Linnaeus Tripe, 1855
Photo: 11" x 8.25" (27.5 x 21 cm)
Frame: 16.5" x 14" (42 x 36 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
SD 26
View near the Lake
Linnaeus Tripe, 1855
Photo: 11" x 8.25" (27.5 x 21 cm)
Frame: 16.5" x 14" (42 x 36 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
SD 27
Southern approach to Shoay Dagon Pagoda
J. Jackson, 1868
Photo: 11" x 8.25" (27.5 x 21 cm)
Frame: 16.5" x 14" (42 x 36 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
SD 28
Road leading to Shoay Dagon Pagoda
J. Jackson, c. 1868
Photo: 11" x 8.25" (27.5 x 21 cm)
Frame: 16.5" x 14" (42 x 36 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
SD 29
Pagoda in Rangoon
J. Jackson, between 1871 & 1875
Photo: 11" x 8.25" (27.5 x 21 cm)
Frame: 16.5" x 14" (42 x 36 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
SD 30
Approach to the Great Pagoda
J. Jackson, c. 1875
Photo: 11" x 8.25" (27.5 x 21 cm)
Frame: 16.5" x 14" (42 x 36 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
The old south entrance to the Shwedagon Pagoda. The brick gateway with the two shrines and demon guardians was built by King Tharawaddy (r. 1837-46) during his state visit to Rangoon in 1841. In the photo, there are gas lamps visible which were installed in Rangoon in 1875.
SD 31
South Tazoung of the Pagoda.
Linnaeus Tripe, 1855
Photo: 8.25" x 11 (21 x 27.5 cm)
Frame: 14" x 16.5" (36 x 42 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
SD 32
Scene on Shwe Dagon Pagoda, Rangoon, 537 B
Philipp Klier, ca. 1900
Photo: 11" x 8.25" (27.5 x 21 cm)
Frame: 16.5" x 14" (42 x 36 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
SD 33
Scene on Shwe Dagon Pagoda, Rangoon 537
Philipp Klier, ca. 1900
Photo: 11" x 8.25" (27.5 x 21 cm)
Frame: 16.5" x 14" (42 x 36 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
SD 34
Shrine of Great Bell & Shan Pagoda 400
Philipp Klier, 1890s
Photo: 11" x 8.25" (27.5 x 21 cm)
Frame: 16.5" x 14" (42 x 36 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
SD 35
Platform of the Shwedagon Pagoda
Unknown, 1870s
Photo: 11" x 8.25" (27.5 x 21 cm)
Frame: 16.5" x 14" (42 x 36 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
SD 36
Worshippers at Shwe Dagon Pagoda Rangoon
Watts & Skeen, 1890s
Photo: 11" x 8.25" (27.5 x 21 cm)
Frame: 16.5" x 14" (42 x 36 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
SD 37
Great Bell,
Rangoon 402
Philipp Klier, c. 1890
Photo: 8.25" x 11 (21 x 27.5 cm)
Frame: 14" x 16.5" (36 x 42 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
The bell of ‘Great Sound’, or Maha-ganda, is housed in a pavilion on the north-west of the pagoda platform. It was dedicated to the Shwe Dagon by Singu Min of the Konbaung dynasty (ruled 1776-82).
SD 38
Shwe Dagon Pagoda Platform
Beato, 1890s
Photo: 8.25" x 11 (21 x 27.5 cm)
Frame: 14" x 16.5" (36 x 42 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
SD 39
Golden Umbrellas. Shwe Dagone Pagoda,
Rangoon 398
Philipp Klier, c. 1890
Photo: 8.25" x 11 (21 x 27.5 cm)
Frame: 14" x 16.5" (36 x 42 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
The umbrella or hti is an honorific architectural element used to adorn Burmese royal and religious architecture and usually forms the pinnacle of a stupa. They are often made of gold decorated with precious stones and were traditionally donated by kings and queens. The umbrellas in this view stand on the platform of the Shwe Dagon Pagoda, Burma’s most revered Buddhist shrine. It is thought that they are of Shan manufacture or origin.
SD 40
Holy Well Shwe Dagon Pagoda
Philipp Klier, 1880s
Photo: 11" x 8.25" (27.5 x 21 cm)
Frame: 16.5" x 14" (42 x 36 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
SD 41
Well at Shway Dagon Pagoda
Watts & Skeen, 1890s
Photo: 11" x 8.25" (27.5 x 21 cm)
Frame: 16.5" x 14" (42 x 36 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
SD 42
Entrance to the Pagoda 2322
Bourne & Shepherd, c.1873
Photo: 11" x 8.25" (27.5 x 21 cm)
Frame: 16.5" x 14" (42 x 36 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
SD 43
Platform on Shwe Dagon Pagoda
John McCosh, 1852
Photo: 11" x 8.25" (27.5 x 21 cm)
Frame: 16.5" x 14" (42 x 36 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
SD 44
Side view of East Tazoung
Linnaeus Tripe, 1855
Photo: 11" x 8.25" (27.5 x 21 cm)
Frame: 16.5" x 14" (42 x 36 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
SD 45
Rear View of the Pagoda
Linnaeus Tripe, 1855
Photo: 8.25" x 11 (21 x 27.5 cm)
Frame: 14" x 16.5" (36 x 42 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
SD 46
The Shoay Dagon Pagoda, Rangoon 392
Philipp Klier, 1890s
Photo: 8.25" x 11 (21 x 27.5 cm)
Frame: 14" x 16.5" (36 x 42 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
SD 47
The Shoay Dagon Pagoda
Philipp Klier, 1870s
Photo: 8.25" x 11 (21 x 27.5 cm)
Frame: 14" x 16.5" (36 x 42 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
SD 48
The Shoay Dagon Pagoda 2321
Bourne & Shepherd, c. 1873
Photo: 8.25" x 11 (21 x 27.5 cm)
Frame: 14" x 16.5" (36 x 42 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
SD 49
The Shoay Dagon Pagoda
J. Jackson, c. 1868
Photo: 11" x 8.25" (27.5 x 21 cm)
Frame: 16.5" x 14" (42 x 36 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
SD 50
Shwe Dagon Pagoda, Rangoon, 394
Philipp Klier, 1880s
Photo: 11" x 8.25" (27.5 x 21 cm)
Frame: 16.5" x 14" (42 x 36 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
SD 51
Shwe Dagon Pagoda
Felice Beato, 1890s
Photo: 11" x 8.25" (27.5 x 21 cm)
Frame: 16.5" x 14" (42 x 36 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
SD 52
Burmese Shrine Modern, Rangoon 532
Philipp Klier, c. 1901
Photo: 8.25" x 11 (21 x 27.5 cm)
Frame: 14" x 16.5" (36 x 42 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
SD 53
Frontage of a Gaudama Temple,
Rangoon 405
Philipp Klier, c. 1890
Photo: 8.25" x 11 (21 x 27.5 cm)
Frame: 14" x 16.5" (36 x 42 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
SD 54
Wood carving Shoay Dagone Pagoda,
Rangoon 404
Philipp Klier, c. 1890
Photo: 8.25" x 11 (21 x 27.5 cm)
Frame: 14" x 16.5" (36 x 42 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
SD 55
Carving at Shwe Dagon Pagoda,
Rangoon
Unknown, 1890s
Photo: 8.25" x 11 (21 x 27.5 cm)
Frame: 14" x 16.5" (36 x 42 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
SD 56
Wood carving at Shwe Dagon Pagoda,
Rangoon
Unknown, 1890s
Photo: 8.25" x 11 (21 x 27.5 cm)
Frame: 14" x 16.5" (36 x 42 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
SD 57
Wood Carving S. D. Pagoda,
Rangoon 408
Philipp Klier, 1890s
Photo: 8.25" x 11 (21 x 27.5 cm)
Frame: 14" x 16.5" (36 x 42 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
SD 58
Interior of Pagoda,
2321 B
Bourne & Shepherd c. 1873
Photo: 11" x 8.25" (27.5 x 21 cm)
Frame: 16.5" x 14" (42 x 36 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
SD 59
Figure of a Gaudama S.D. Pagoda,
Rangoon, 406
Philipp Klier, c. 1890
Photo: 11" x 8.25" (27.5 x 21 cm)
Frame: 16.5" x 14" (42 x 36 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
SD 60
Reclining Buddha at Shwe Dagon Pagoda
Felice Beato, 1890s
Photo: 11" x 8.25" (27.5 x 21 cm)
Frame: 16.5" x 14" (42 x 36 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
SD 61
Facade of East Entrance Shoay
Dagone Pagoda, Rangoon 409
Philipp Klier, 1880s
Photo: 8.25" x 11 (21 x 27.5 cm)
Frame: 14" x 16.5" (36 x 42 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
SD 62
East Entrance of Shwe Dagon Pagoda
Felice Beato, 1890s
Photo: 8.25" x 11 (21 x 27.5 cm)
Frame: 14" x 16.5" (36 x 42 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
SD 63
Base of Sacred Pole Shoay Dagone Pagoda,
Rangoon 403
Philipp Klier, 1880s
Photo: 8.25" x 11 (21 x 27.5 cm)
Frame: 14" x 16.5" (36 x 42 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
SD 64
The Htee of Shway Dagon Pagoda
J. Jackson, 1871
Photo: 11" x 8.25" (27.5 x 21 cm)
Frame: 16.5" x 14" (42 x 36 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
SD 65
Replacing the Htee on the Shway Dagon Pagoda
J. Jackson, November 1871
Photo: 11" x 8.25" (27.5 x 21 cm)
Frame: 16.5" x 14" (42 x 36 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
After the Shwedagon Pagoda was regilded in 1869 King Mindon decided to renew the Htee (literally umbrella, the ornamental tip of the Pagoda).
In October 1871 the Htee was brought by steamer from Mandalay to Rangoon. Elaborate measures were necessary for removing the old Htee and elevating the new one. A scaffolding of bamboos and a most intricate machinery of ropes and pulleys was constructed. A roadway of six strong ropes was made from a point of the platform, about two hundred feet from its base. On this rope roadway ran a carriage, whereon the portion of the Htee was placed to be raised. The pulling rope stretched up to an equal height with the roadway, and passing over the shoulder of the Pagoda went down to the other side, where traction was made as occasion required by thousands of people only to anxious to share the merit of having a hand in so holy work. From the point where the rope roadway reached the face of the Pagoda, a further elevation was made of ropes working on a pulley and crane erected on the platform which had been constructed on the highest point of the scaffolding. Thus the old Htee was taken down, and the new Htee was raised in sections, the work taking from 21st to the 26th November.
The labour involved in this work was considerable. 50,000 bamboos and seventy boat-loads of cane were used in making the scaffolding. For the first month about 300 workmen were continually employed, and for the last month quite 500.
The Htee is of great value. It consists of wrought iron, with seven tiers, the lowest which is 13 ½ feet in diameter and weighs a ton and a third. Above the tiers is a spire on which is a vane. The Htee is plated with gold and embellished with diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and pearls.
The value was calculated at 622,917 Rupees. To put the amount into perspective the Secretariat which was built in 1905 did cost 2,500,000 Rupees.
The Htee was again replaced in the mid-1990s and the old Htee can be seen in a shrine on the Platform of the Shwedagon Pagoda.
SD 66
The Spire with a Vane
J. Jackson, 1871
Photo: 11" x 8.25" (27.5 x 21 cm)
Frame: 16.5" x 14" (42 x 36 cm)
Framed: USD 50
Unframed: USD 20
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