Arriving in Burma is like stepping back in time to ages past, evoking an immediate and powerful excitement of the senses. One also feels deep compassion for a people whose freedom has been denied for so long. The Burmese have endured centuries of squabbling kingdoms, British colonization and brutal military rule. A ray of hope appeared when in 1990, an election was held and despite the risk, the Burmese came out and overwhelmingly voted in Aung San Suu Kyi, head of the NLD only to find the party blocked and members imprisoned, exiled or killed. Aung San Suu Kyi remained under house arrest for nearly 15 years by the time of her release on November 13, 2010.
The 2007 ‘saffron’ uprising again brought Burma under the media spotlight. Around the world people expressed their passionate support for the Burmese people, and condemned the heartless regime. Yet nothing changed. On May 2, cyclone Nargis struck Burma causing the worst natural disaster in the recorded history of the country with millions affected and a death toll of over a hundred thousand. The obstruction of international aid relief by military rulers made an already catastrophic situation infinitely worse. It is with hope in their hearts that the Burmese look towards the rest of the world for help.
The Burmese are a friendly, curious and often intellectual people, frequently found discussing literature, love, and politics in tea shops or reading well thumbed books in shady boroughs. Buddhism has had a great influence on Burma and the stupas of Bagan and the mighty Shwedagon Paya, with its great golden dome are among the most impressive Buddhist structures in the world.
Burma is incredibly rich in ethnic diversity. Under the ferocious heat of the sun, men and women go about their day dressed in a variety of exotic apparel including turbans, sarongs, flamboyant jewellery, and faces painted with thanakha, a paste ground from tree bark. The main ethnic groups are the Bamar, Shan, Mon, Kayin, Kayah, Chin, Kachin, Wa, and Naga.
The Burmese are noted for making even everyday items into objects worthy of artistic praise. Over the centuries, Buddhism has provided much of the motivation for the artistic endeavours of the Burmese. This in concert with rich pre-Buddhist traditions, lively oral and vernacular literature and a love of detailed surface embellishment have culminated in the creation of distinctive works of art. Items from Burma offered on our site include bronze Burmese opium weights dating back to the 15th century, Naga and Chin tribal textiles and a host of other fascinating artefacts.
In an economic sense, Burma is a poor country and we make a point of buying items from individuals in market places, and never from government owned shops. Let’s hope that the people of this enchanting land soon enjoy the true freedom they deserve through the evolution of a real democracy, guided by the ever graceful and wise influence of Aung San Suu Kyi . 
Opium Weight Collection Opium Weights