A set of rare and complete Burmese manuscript (KAMMAVACA) made from thick cloth coated with gold and lacquer in nice condition. It was written in the Pali language using Burmese script. The square letters were written in thick and black cinnabar lacquer. This set has 16 leaves and 2 wooden covers made from teak wood. Each leave was inscribed on both sides with illustrations of deity figures from Hindu-Buddhist mythology on some leaves...

A set of rare and complete Burmese manuscript (KAMMAVACA) made from thick cloth coated with gold and lacquer in nice condition. It was written in the Pali language using Burmese script. The square letters were written in thick and black cinnabar lacquer. This set has 16 leaves and 2 wooden covers made from teak wood. Each leave was inscribed on both sides with illustrations of deity figures from Hindu-Buddhist mythology on some leaves...

A set of rare and complete Burmese metal manuscript (KAMMAVACA) made from metal coated with gold and lacquer in nice condition. It was written in the Pali language using Burmese script. The square letters were written in thick and black cinnabar lacquer. This set has 16 leaves and 2 wooden covers made from teak wood. Each leave was inscribed on both sides with illustrations of deity figures from Hindu-Buddhist mythology on some leaves...

A set of rare and complete Burmese manuscript (KAMMAVACA) made from thick cloth coated with gold and lacquer in nice condition. It was written in the Pali language using Burmese script. The square letters were written in thick and black cinnabar lacquer. This set has 16 leaves and 2 wooden covers made from teak wood. Each leave was inscribed on both sides with illustrations of deity figures from Hindu-Buddhist mythology on some leaves...

A set of rare and complete Burmese manuscript (KAMMAVACA) made from thick cloth coated with gold and lacquer in nice condition. It was written in the Pali language using Burmese script. The square letters were written in thick and black cinnabar lacquer. This set has 16 leaves and 2 wooden covers made from teak wood. Each leave was inscribed on both sides with illustrations of deity figures from Hindu-Buddhist mythology on some leaves...

A 1940s Kashmir wood turned box featuring a wonderful warm gold and green lacquered mottled design over black. It measures 5.75 inches across and 4.5 high including finial.

Burmese red lacquer covered box of tall, cylindrical form. Decoration also in yellow, green and black lacquer. Good condition with minor wear including light loss on the foot rim and some minor checking of the lacquer surface inside the box and cover. Height about 4 inches (10.16 cm). Diameter about 2 7/8 inches (7.31 cm)

Charming and unusually small black and red lacquer vessel from Kenteng, Shan State, Burma. A very cute piece and genuinely old- circa 80 years. This piece is uncommon in that it has six feet instead of the usual four. The entire piece is covered in red lacquer with a black lacquer overcoat on the outside. There is surface craqueleur as to be expected from authentic old lacquer but no breakage in the body. D: 13.5cm/5.3in and H: 8.2cm/3.2in.

Rare black Lanna lacquer box circa 70 to 90 years old in excellent condition given its age, no repairs or big chunk missing, from Chiang Mai. Genuine old examples of Thai lacquer are quite rare these days as most have been bought up by Thai collectors. H: 8.7cm/3.4in and D: 11cm/4.2in.

From our Southeast Asia Collection, a very striking contemporary Burmese writing box done in the "shwei-zawa" technique, with gold leaf floral designs known as "chupan" set against a shiny black lacquer ground, all done to very striking and dramatic effect...

A very rare THAI 18/19th Century Black & Gold Lacquered Bamboo container with scrolling and flowers. Top rim partially restored as can be seen in photos due to considerable age and climatic conditions. Gilding shows some wear. Overall in fair condition. Size: H. 12" x 13.5" diameter. Impossible to find in this era!

Cambodian semi antique Khmer basket circa pre 1950. Excellent condition, with natural lacquer and some painted design. Woven with split bamboo it is still quite serviceable, please view enlargements to appreciate the detail of this weave- you will not find any genuinely old baskets in Cambodia anymore (or anywhere else for that matter). Dimensions: 27cm/11.8in diameter and 15cm/6in height. There is some damage to the footrim noted in last enlargement.

Fine old lacquerware antique, cylindrical box, possibly Karen or Shan, from North Thailand, with rattan bindings, these are becoming increasing difficult to find these days. Some loss of lacquer on the surface. H: 15cm/5.8in and D: 7.3cm/2.8in.

Nice old antique black lacquered bamboo and wood box from Cambodia circa 1950 or earlier. This part of a collection I acquired almost 20 years ago. Khmer lacquer is quite rare, not many crafts survived the Khmer Rouge era, and is a lost art. Some wear and restoration as to be expected but no major damage. D: 5cm/7.8in and H: 10.5cm/4.1in.

This is a page from the rare Burmese Buddhist Sutra manuscript called the the KAMMAVACA. The pages of these religious sutras were made from a thin strip of bamboo covered with cloth (frequently monks robes) which was thickly coated with red lacquer and gold leaf decoration. Lacquer from tamarind seed was used for the square black lettered text which is in the now extinct Burmese religious script of Pali...

Superb antique lacquered bamboo woven box from the Lisu ethnic minority, Northern Thailand. This piece is in good condition with minute losses to lacquer but perfect woven body. Please view enlargements to appreciate the fine detail on this, also note that this double walled. L: 11.cm/4.2in, H: 5.5cm/2.3in and W: 6.5cm/2.5in.

Very fine lacquer “siri” box from the Karen ethnic group in Northern Thailand. This has thick application of black lacquer and a fine naturally aged patina- circa 50 to 60 years old. There are two inner trays and is in good condition- there is one old repair at the bottom that may be noted in the last enlargement. H: 10.5cm4.1in and D: 9cm/3.5in.

Nice old carved hardwood box from the Shan State, Myanmar with traces of original lacquer. This was collected around 1988 in Northern Thailand, and originally dates to early the 20th century. Please note this is not a tourist piece artificially stressed to look old. The Shan have a strong shamanistic tradition which seems to blend well the local Buddhist religion, possibly this was used to house shaman paraphernalia...