Watts and Skeen (fl. 1888-1908) (photographers)
Dates
- Existence: fl. 1888 - 1908
Biography
Watts and Skeen was a commercial photographic company active in Burma (now Myanmar) from the 1880s to the 1900s. The firm was managed by F.A.E. Skeen. Skeen had gone to Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) to join his brother in the firm 'Skeen and Co.' in 1878. In 1888 Skeen went into partnership with H.W. Watts and opened a branch in Rangoon. The firm continued in business in Burma until circa 1908. However, Skeen himself returned to Ceylon in 1903 to run the firm there on the death of his brother. H.W. Watts continued to be listed in the almanacs as manager of the wine merchants 'Arthur Barnes' until circa 1924.
Sources:
Typescript copy of 'Index to Photographers'.
Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:
The Incomparable Pagoda, Mandalay, 1880 - 1889
272 x 211 mm. View of the Atumashi or Incomparable Pagoda, a building of six tiered terraces carried on 36 pillars and decorated with gilt and glass inlay work. A colossal figure of Gautama (not visible) is seated on the highest of terraces. The temple was built by King Minden in memory of his father, and was destroyed by fire in 1892. Photographer unknown, probably Watts and Skeen.
The Pagoda of Good Deeds [Mandalay]. Surrounded by 999 [sic] smaller temples, each containing a seal engraved with a religious law, 1880 - 1889
275 x 212 mm. View from Mandalay Hill looking down onto the Kathodaw or 450 Pagodas; this consists of a central temple surrounded by 450 smaller, white buildings set in a square of about ½ mile square. This complex was erected by King Thibaw's father who, anxious to preserve the holy books of Buddhism, caused the tenets to be inscribed on 450 stones above which a small domed building was erected. Photographer unknown, probably Watts and Skeen.