Papier-mache figures from Myanmar

“The Call of the Owl” — Pappmaché figures from Myanmar from the Rautenstrauch-Joest-Museum The data set consists of 10 cardboard maché figures and 4 wooden models for the production of cardboard maché figures from the collection of the Rautenstrauch-Joest-Museum — Cultures of the World. The figures were purchased from stands around the Shwedagon pagoda, Yangon (Myanmar), in 2016. Although the wooden models come from a different collection context, they give an idea of how these figures are made. At the four steps to the Shwedagon Pagoda are numerous merchants offering food and refreshments to pilgrims and selling souvenirs: The handicrafts of the paper maché manufacturers in pilgrimage places live to a large extent from the production of souvenirs. For example, most pagodas in Myanmar sell souvenirs in addition to offerings such as flowers and incense sticks. In addition to the traditionally made and painted toys and lucky figures, plastic imitations are increasingly found. Owls are particularly popular, because the reputation of the owl should not only bring happiness, but also prosperity. They are put on the house altar at home — like a female and a male owl as a couple. In the female owl there is usually still a child with hinted at. You can set up only one owl, but two are supposed to bring even more luck.