Burmese Silk Coat

Owned by King Thibaw Min, the last crowned monarch of Burma.This coat of navy silk lined with brown fur with gold buttons in traditional Burmese style, is directly associated with King Thibaw Min, the last crowned monarch of Burma. It was presented in September 1879 by the King to George Swann, Manager of the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company, based in Rangoon. The Company was British-owned, and was managed by P Henderson & Company from Glasgow.

Relations between King Thibaw and the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company were maintained on friendly terms by frequent visits to the Burmese capital by Swann. In 1885, Irrawaddy Flotilla Company paddle steamers were used to transport the British troops to Mandalay and King Thibaw and Queen Supaya-lat were removed by the Company's steamer Thooreah to Rangoon, escorted by George Swann, from where they were taken to exile in India.

Owned by King Thibaw Min, the last crowned monarch of Burma.