Curatorial description (accessed: 12 August 2017)
This glimpse into the splendour of Prome (Pyay) is evidence of John McCosh's (1805-1885) growing skill with his Calotype camera. By the time of the 2nd Burma War he was able to produce larger pictures, which enabled him to take landscapes as well as portraits. This picture of artillery pieces arranged outside the Great Pogoda was taken shortly after the fall of the city in July 1852. The statues are of mythical lion-like creatures called Chinthes. They are an important Burmese cultural symbol and are often found in pairs guarding the entrances to temples.
