From our Southeast Asia Collection, an inscribed lacquerware covered vessel from the famed U Aung Myint workshop in Myinkaba Village, Pagan Burma (Myanmar), from which the British Museum has commissioned pieces for display in London. See Isaacs and Burton, Visions from the Golden Land, Burma and the Art of Lacquer page 222-223...

Fine old Burma lacquerware box. This piece is quite rare in that it is a complete set with three compartments on top and one shallow “hidden” compartment in the base. There is an old repair on the cracquelure on the lid as well as some traditional restoration on the undecorated portions. This is an early 20th century piece (possibly 19th century) from the Gadu-Ganan region, Shan State. D: 16.cm/6.2in and W: 16cm/6.2in.

Burmese manuscript containing rules for the correct performance of the monastic ritual, written in Pali language. Containing 16 palm leaves and two wooden cover boards, decorated in red lacquer and gilding. The folios are inscribed (fourteen on both sides) on a plain gilt ground with ink or lacquer in five lines, having small buildings to show punctuation. The boards and the backside of two leaves are decorated with floral roundels and lotus leaves...

Genuine antique Shan lacquer box circa late 19thCE. Most Burmese lacquer being offered on the internet purported to be antique are vintage at best and new at worst. I acquired this in Yunnan, China along the Burmese border but of Shan (nationality in China). Although there is some damage the craftsmanship is exquisite which is why I put a grain of sand in a couple of the images to put the work into perspective...

Early 19th century lacquer box from the Gadu-Gadan region with domed top and bottom (philone gaunglone). There are 16 separate panels decorated with mythical beasts, dancers and quirky symbols on the side and bird pattern on the top and bottom. Please note last photo for reference which is dated 1850 (possibly earlier) from Lacquerware Journeys—Than Htun. The piece I have is actually far more intricate...

A rare Burmese book with paper (made from mulberry tree bark) pages, the front and back covers with lacquer relief decoration with small inset glass spangles. The central panels showing the title of the book in Burmese script. Approximately 280 pages, handwritten in black Burmese script, edges gilt. Condition: covers are dusty (one is dirty) and with some wear, some corners with small losses. Pages with few stains, but wormholes. Dimension: 39.4 x 17.6 x 9.5 cm, weight: 2.4 kg.

Beautiful antique Burmese basket woven bamboo with red lacquer. Age: Early 20th century. Size: 12"diameter x 5" height.

Beautiful antique red lacquer wooden Shaker scoop. Handle is beautifully Hand carved and with natural elements. Age: Early 20th century. Size: 14" length x 4.5" wide.

A large betel-box "kun it" with one internal tray, made of woven and coiled split bamboo covered with lacquer. The slightly domed lid and the drum with yun decoration of king and court scenes and several inscriptions. The interiors with plain cinnabar red lacquer. Condition: traces of usage, some age cracks and wear, rim and lacquer losses, lid with a damaged area. Dimension: diameter: c. 23 cm, 21.3 cm high. Provenance: Swiss collection.

A rare antique Cinnabar Red Lacquer Basket from Northern Thailand. 19th Century. A very labour intensive handmade procedure where woven and coiled bamboo and clay formed the base of this container. Furthermore, 6 ribs were bent and curved to form feet at the base. The top was curved and rolled inwards and many coats of lacquer were applied over and over after drying each one. Overall condition good, some wear, size: 17.5 cm. height x 38 cm. top diameter, 24 cm. bottom diameter.

Rare late 19th/early 20th century Thai tobacco/betel box, with original inner tray. Minor losses to lacquer and the footrim repaired and replaced. Stunning delicate deep dark red and black floral scroll pattern. D: 19.5cm/7.8in and H: 7.4/2.9in.

Very rare late 19th century small lacquer box with a bird in concentric circles on both concave top and bottoms unusual simple geometric designs on the side. For a box of this age, it is in very good condition some loss to lacquer on the edges and bottom of lid. For the specialist collector of Burmese lacquer ware. D: 10.1cm/4in and H: 7.1cm/2.8in.

A rare Antique Thai Cinnabar/Black lacquer offering tray. 19th Century, Northern Thailand. Condition overall good. Size: Height 11" x 16.5" diameter on top (28 cm x 42 cm).

A rare antique, Thai mother-of-pearl inlaid black lac footed cup, or pedestal bowl, Thailand, 18th or early 19th century. The cup of rounded polygonal form with thin sides rising from a decagonal splaying foot, the exterior extremely finely inlaid with various typically Thai designs and motifs in mother-of-pearl against a black lac ground...

Rare wide brimmed Tibetan hat, meant to be worn by reincarnated lamas of a high-rank, called Tulku, who have the power to choose their manner of rebirth. It is covered in a copper/gold lacquer over incised designs with coiled dragons, flowers, and various Buddhist symbols. The inner part has pierced characters and a raised design, and is topped with a bronze and quartz finial with auspicious designs. Inside of hat has an illegible signature. 17th century Size: 14.75" wide, 6" tall

From our Southeast Asia Collection, a very attractive 5 piece Pagan-style lacquer hsun-ok (offering vessel) from the famed U Aung Myint workshop in Myinkaba Village, Pagan Burma (Myanmar), from which the British Museum has commissioned pieces for display in London. See Isaacs and Burton, Visions from the Golden Land, Burma and the Art of Lacquer page 222-223...

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...

From our Southeast Asia Collection, a stunning and large martaban-type lacquer jar from the famed U Aung Myint workshop in Myinkaba Village, Pagan Burma (Myanmar), from which the British Museum has commissioned pieces for display in London. See Isaacs and Burton, Visions from the Golden Land, Burma and the Art of Lacquer page 222-223...