Description (Labels & Markings)
A label adhered to the exterior reads '4'. This is in reference to an inventory of lacquerware seen amongst the collector's paperwork written on 14th April 1999. The interior is marked 'B.L.1.N.F.S'. The 'BL' number is in reference to a previous inventory devised by the collector during the ?1980s, one version of this inventory was seen amongst the collectors paperwork dated to 12th July 1983. An additional label adhered to the interior of the lid reads 'Singer'.
Event Date
Author: Annie McKay

Context (References)
(Bib): Singer; Noel Francis. 1996. 'Nineteenth century Court Lacquerware from Myanmar and the Box of 'The Sorceress'. In Arts of Asia. p. 100.
Event Date 10/11/2017
Author: Annie McKay

Description (Physical description)
Portable betel box with single tray covered in red and black lacquer with traces of gilding. The lid shows the story of Dway Mai Naw (Manaohari) the Kinnari princess. Three episodes from the story are depicted. In the centre is a palace tower with the princess looking out from the window. To her left she is shown dancing with her prince. The third picture shows her suckling her child. There are thin ribbons of bamboo around the lid which were originally varnished. The tray has a red interior and black exterior. There are three fragments of gilded material seen in the tray. These fragments do not appear to be from the betel box, it is unclear from which object, if any, these fragments came. The base of the betel box is decorated with a panel of putlone (turned pillars). The underside of the base is decorated with gilded rings with a depiction in the centre. The base has significant damage to the bottom, with bamboo missing and the lacquer cracked.
Event Date 10/11/2017
Author: Annie McKay