Nest of six cylindrical boxes and covers and one tray

Physical description

All the boxes are patterned in light red, green and yellow on a green on black hatch-stroke ground with their interiors finished in red lacquer
The common pattern of the six boxes is the gwin-shet (linked cellular design).
The common theme is the signs of the zodiac and days of the week.
The rim of each box and cover is encircled with a narrow border of repeating lotus flowers.
The central motif on the base of each box is set within a circular band of fine lines.
[Box] The gwin-shet design encloses signs of the zodiac around the sides. A dancing prince or page boy is the central motif on the base.
[Cover] Decorated with the gwin-shet design with signs of the Zodiac around the sides and top.
[Box] Decorated with gwin-shet pattern enclosing a series of hintha/karaweik birds. An open lotus is the central motif on the base.
[Cover] Decorated with the gwin-shet pattern enclosing signsof the Zodiac.
[Box] Decorated with the gwin-shet pattern enclosing repeating hintha birds. A hintha bird is the central motif on the base.
[Cover] Decorated with the gwin-shet pattern enclosing (on the sides) signs of the Zodiac and (on the top) alternate hintha and naga figures.
[Box] Decorated with gwin-shet pattern enclosing alternate hintha birds and lions. A standing lion is the central motif on the base.
[Cover] Decorated with a gwin-shet pattern enclosing signs of the Zodiac on sides and top.
[Box] Decorated with the gwin-shet pattern enclosing a series of hintha birds. The base is decorated with a dancing prince or page-boy
[Cover] Decorated with the gwin-shet pattern enclosing signs of the Zodiac - months on the sides and days of the week on the top.
[Box] Decorated with the gwin-shet pattern enclosing a series of hintha birds. A hintha bird is the central motif on the base.
[Cover] Decorated with the gwin-shet pattern enclosing a series of hintha birds on the sides and alternating hinthas and dancing page-boys on the top.
[Tray] Sides circled with a band of hatch-stroke and fine lines. A hintha is the central design on the base.

Place of Origin

Burma (made)

Date

before 1867 (made)

Materials and Techniques

Fine woven bamboo covered in thitsi lacquer and engraved in the Pagan Yun technique.

Dimensions

Height: 15.5 cm, Diameter: 21.5 cm
[Box] Diameter: 21.5 cm, Height: 15.5 cm
[Cover] Diameter: 22 cm, Height: 15.6 cm
[Box] Diameter: 15.7 cm, Height: 11.5 cm
[Cover] Diameter: 16.5 cm, Height: 11.6 cm
[Box] Diameter: 14 cm, Height: 9.2 cm
[Cover] Diameter: 14.7 cm, Height: 11 cm
[Box] Diameter: 12.3 cm, Height: 9 cm, Height: 11 cm with lid on
[Cover] Diameter: 12.3 cm, Height: 8.6 cm, Height: 11 cm when cover on box
[Box] Diameter: 10.1 cm, Height: 6.1 cm
[Cover] Diameter: 10.5 cm, Height: 7.7 cm
[Box] Diameter: 8.3 cm, Height: 5.5 cm
[Cover] Diameter: 8.4 cm, Height: 6.4 cm
[Tray] Diameter: 8 cm, Height: 3.5 cm

Descriptive line

Burmese nest of six cylindrical boxes and covers and one inner tray of bamboo and black yun lacquerware. Konbaung Dynasty (1752-1885). Decorated in red, green and yellow with horological figures worked into the gwin-shet design. ca. before 1867.

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

John Lowry Burmese Art London Her Majesty's Stationery Office 1974; pl. 37

Production Note

Attribution note: The intended use for this nest of boxes has still to be identified. Sylvia Fraser-Lu in her "Burmese Crafts"; 1994 mentions only nests of bowls made for the European market. p. 230.

Materials

Clay; Pigment; Bamboo; Ash; Thitsi lacquer

Techniques

Engraving; Colouring; Lacquering; Basketry; Coating

Collection code

SSEA