Unique, rare glass lantern slide of the Shwethalyaung Reclining Buddha, late 19thC (813)

A wonderful and rare antique magic lantern slide of the famous Shwethalyaung Buddha in Bago, Myanmar (formerly Burma).

The original photo was taken by James Ricalton, who worked for Underwood and Underwood and was later reproduced by them as a stereoscopic print (see photo), with the title "Largest of Buddha statues (181 ft) - the Teacher finding Peace in Death - Pegu, Burma".

The statue was originally built in 994 AD, but was lost to the jungle after Bago was destroyed in 1757. It was rediscovered in 1880 by British railway contractors and later covered in a glass dome.

The photo is most likely taken circa 1891-1895, the time of the first major government-funded cleanup of the site, becoming a stereocard circa 1900.

Condition: VG.