3-077-852 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

A Monster Elephant at Mandalay, 1890. 'A Burmese Funeral. The monster effigy of an elephant, which is conspicuous in one of a series of the pomps and ceremonies attending the funeral, called the "Byan," of an illustrious "Phoongye," one of the grand ecclesiastical personages of the wealthy monasteries in Burmah, was admired by a large congregation. It stood about 80 ft. high, including the "pyathet" or bier, of carved and gilt or painted woodwork, arising from the back of the enormous beast, whose body was a hollow structure of bamboo framework, covered with paper, standing on a movable platform to be drawn along the street. In the lofty "pyathet" was a coffin which contained the mortal remains of the deceased Right Reverend Phoongye, after lying in state, embalmed of course, during the prescribed months of mourning, at the monastery over which he had formerly presided, to the religious edification on of Buddhist believers...We are indebted to Surgeon Arthur G. E. Newland, of the Indian Medical Staff, for the series of photographs, one of which is here reproduced, illustrating the Burmese monasteries, and the pomps and dignities of the Buddhist Established Church'. From "Illustrated London News", 1890.