Early 20th Century Lacquerware Container Burma, EUO56
The tradition of lacquerware is centuries old in Burma. This large, handsome container, referred to in Burmese as pyi-daung, is nearly a century old, and was made in Bagan, the centre of lacquerware production. Pyi-daung are a large bucket shaped vessel used for carrying rice to a Buddhist monastery. The style of decoration is referred to as let-taik-let-kya and typically includes buildings alternating with human and animal figures, in this case dancers and forest dwelling deer. The vessel has seen considerable use and there are minor chips, cracks and a repair on one side as illustrated in the photos. This is quite normal for lacquer containers of this age that were in regular use.
To make lacquer containers, sap is drawn from the Melanorrhoeausitata tree found in North-eastern Burma. Pigments such as ochre, cinnabar, orpiment and indigo are added and mixed to achieve the desired colour. A dozen or more coats are then applied to the object resulting in a beautiful lustre that is waterproof and very durable. The object is then deftly decorated with a fine metal point which is used to etch grooves that are then filled with coloured lacquer. The object is left to dry and then polished. This process is repeated several times and requires great skill, experience and time. A vessel of this size and level of detailed decoration would have taken 4-6 months to complete.
Characteristics
Height: 40cm, 16 in
Diameter: 32cm, 12.6 in
Weight: 1.7kg
Materials: jackfruit wood, bamboo, lacquer, pigment
Provenance: Burmese antique dealer
Period: Early 20th century
Price: US$395
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