Box

Physical description

A cylindrical box with slip over cover.

Red interior with an exterior of gilt and black patterns on a red ground.

A courtly scene is represented on the top of the cover. On the sides within bands of concentric lines in relief, there is a frieze of male figures wearing waist cloths girt high between the legs forming breeches holding long, curving dhas (swords) amongst trees and foliage.

Place of Origin

Burma (made)

Date

before 1867 (made)

Materials and Techniques

Finely woven bamboo, covered in thitsi lacquer and part shwei-zawa (gold leaf work) and engraved in Shan yun technique. The relief patterns are produced with strips of bare bamboo alternately planed and serrated before the lacquer process.

Dimensions

Height: 23.5 cm, Diameter: 26.5 cm

Descriptive line

Burmese bamboo and lacquer box. Konbaung Dynasty 1752-1885). Decorated with figurative and foliate patterns in gilt and black on a red ground. ca. before 1867.

Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)

Sylvia Fraser-lu "Burmese lacquerware" p. 35; Pl. 155 (Mr. Isaacs thinks this picture is wrongly attributed to the Taungyi Museum)

Production Note

Attribution note: The entry in the 1880 Slip book describes this object as a "Large lacquered & gilt box". Further opinion identifies it either as a ceremonial kun-it (betel box) missing its internal 2 trays or a bi-it (storage box) for cosmetics or hair pieces.

Materials

Clay; Gold leaf; Pigment; Bamboo; Ash; Thitsi lacquer

Techniques

Engraving; Gilding; Colouring; Lacquering; Basketry; Coating

Collection code

SSEA