A very rare large gilded Royal Thayo receptacle created in Mandalay for Buddhist votive use. Thayo is made by mixing lacquer with sifted paddy husks to which pulverized bone is added for strength, resulting in a sort of plastic like material easily molded or stamped in a relief design. Size: H. 104 cm. 40.5 inches W. 44 cm. 17 inches. Condition: No repairs.

DESCRIPTION: Four beautifully detailed, red and gold lacquered sheets of Burmese Buddhist manuscripts describing rules of ceremony. Kammawasa are elaborately decorated manuscripts extracted from the Pali Vinaya pitaka, the monastic code of discipline which is generally read aloud at monastic assemblies...

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...

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.

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!

Unusual Thai betel nut lacquered and inlaid with bone container. 15cm high, 16 cm lid radius. undated, estimated to be late 19th or early 20 th century. Can be viewed in central London and shipped worldwide.

DESCRIPTION: In Burma (now called Myanmar), one of the most honored and beautifully decorated ceremonial pieces was the box that held the many gold lacquered sheets of Buddhist manuscripts, called the Kammawasa. These sheets are read aloud at monastic assemblies, and topics covered could include formalities for the ordination of monks and the bestowal of their robes, the consecration of an ordination hall, celebrating the festival of the full moon, or other such instructions...

A rare and small antique Cinnabar Red Wood and Lacquer Offering Tray, 19th Century, Northern Thailand. Overall condition good. Size: 10 cm. height x 18 cm. top diameter.

Most attractive Shan State papier-mache/lacquer Buddha head mounted, 19th Century, Burma, with remnants of gilding on dark patina. Good condition. Size: H. 10" x W. 7" x D. 5.5"

Very rare antique lacquer box from the Southern Shan States circa late 19th CE to early 20th CE. This a complete set (which is rare in itself these days). The pattern though simple is exquisitely detailed. Some craquelure on the surface, as is expected and few minor chips at the bottom of the lid. H 13.7cm/5.4in and D: 15.5cm/6.1in.

Very rare lacquer box with geometrical pattern and convex shaped lid and bottom. The lacquer is quite thick on this piece with an unusual motif. I have only seen two boxes in this style which came out of Yunnan, China, so these may have been made as trade items to Yi minority who seem to make similar, though less sophisticated, patterned lacquer pieces. This was made in the first half of the 20th century, and except for a chip on the lid surface it is in excellent condition...

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.

Complete set of five Shan esoteric Buddhist images. These consist of a Buddha, three monks and a chedi. These are covered with traditional gold and back lacquer and the bodies are made from compressed powdered herbs or temple incense ash. They have a quirky abstract quality to them, their facelessness represents that the individual is inconsequential but has the potential for becoming a Buddha, on the bottom are the eight Burmese zodiac symbols based on the days of the week...

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...

An excellent and absolutely essential pictorial reference book for anybody interested in Burmese wares. From lacquerware to carved statuary to offering vessels of all kinds, this book has over 180 excellent full color photos of all things Burmese. In our candid opinion, it's not enough of a reason to purchase an antique merely for the sake of a free book, but any client already seriously contemplating a purchase can enjoy this as a free extra...

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...

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.