DESCRIPTION: In Burma (now called Myanmar), the most graceful lacquer ceremonial vessel is the Hsun-ok, used for centuries to carry gifts of food as offerings to the Buddhist monasteries. This tall, early 20th Century Hsun-ok comes from the Pagan region in Burma where much of the country's finest lacquerware was produced. Made with a very time consuming process, first the body was formed of many coils of split bamboo, then numerous coats of lacquer, first black, then red, were applied.
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From our Southeast Asia Collection, a very fine gilded Burmese hsun-ok or offering vessel, late 19th to early 20th century. Gilded offering vessels such as this present example would have been owned by wealthy Burmese families, and used exclusively for bringing food gifts to the monastery. They are constructed of bamboo and turned wood bodies, and decorated with scrolling floral designs called "chupan." Crafting the chupan design is actually a deceptively meticulous and laborious process, one t... Click for details
One of the great rarities of Thai incised lacquer is this wonderfully detailed condiment box in various colors of burgundy, orange red, yellow, green, and light red lacquer. It is said that the more colors and details found in Thai lacquer, the more expensive it was to produce. This small (4 inches) box displays well and features a Temple dog on the lid, and a peacock on the bottom, very unusual indeed. We date this treasure to the late 19th century and is in excellent well cared for conditio... Click for details
From our Southeast Asia Collection, a fine and complete Burmese Kammavaca Manuscript, late 19th - early 20th century, containing all 16 leaves and the original teak wood covers.
Kammavaca manuscripts are a quintessentially Burmese artifact that reflect the general reverence afforded to the monastic system in that country. To Western eyes, they are usually just highly decorative ethnic handicrafts from an isolated a... Click for details
From our Southeast Asia Collection, a contemporary but very beautiful Burmese shwei-zawa wall hanging from Pagan, Burma, executed in brilliant gold leaf against a shiny black lacquer ground. The scene depicted is most likely something from the Jataka Tales (the stories of the previous lives of the Buddha), though we are not positive which exact scene is being portrayed. Nevertheless, this is a very fine and strikingly attractive example, and for those who understand how shwei-zawa work is crea... Click for details
Very fine old Cambodian red and black lacquered betel box constructed of wood with carved bamboo trim. Crack in the lid but no restoration (possibly the rim of the lid has been repainted as the color is a brighter red than the rest of the body). Any lacquer coming from Southeast Asia with no signs of use is a strong indicator that it’s new. Please view previous listings on my site of Cambodian lacquer for more insight and personal musings into this craft. Circa 50 to 60 years old. D: 22... Click for details
Fine old Cambodian lacquered woven bamboo betel box. No damage or restoration other than natural wear, as to be expected. Any lacquer coming from Southeast Asia with no signs of use is a strong indicator that its new. Circa 60 to 90 years old. D: 21.5cm/8.5in and H: 9cm/3.5in
Exceptionally fine and rare Khmer black lacquer “pillow box” with an abstract floral pattern. Definitely an old pre Khmer Rouge piece, dating 40 to 50 years old, possibly more. The unique decoration makes this a one of a kind piece, the construction is typically Cambodian in that it is constructed with thin small planks of wood and is coated with raw lacquer on the bottom, not to mention this was actually purchased several years ago in Cambodia, the attention to detail on the design is ... Click for details
Finely made Cambodian red and black lacquered oval box, this is post Khmer Rouge i.e. made after 1979 and would probably best described as Arts and Crafts for the tourist market, usually sold as “antique’ after being artificially stressed. Unfortunately for the exception of textiles most traditional Khmer crafts have died out, as the availability of cheap plastic replacements from China and the average Cambodian citizen would not be able to afford items like this. There is nothing I ... Click for details
Exceptionally fine and rare authentic, three piece, early 20th century Shan betel box. I hate to say it, but most Burmese lacquer being offered on the net these days purporting to be old are really new or over restored. This piece has the checkered za-yun pattern; according to Sylvia Fraser-Lu’s classic work “Burmese Lacquerware” this was inspired by European textiles exported to Burma during the 19th century. There are a few minor restorations, (some old, some new) as well as cracks o... Click for details
