Accession No
MN0126.299
Description
Middle sized betel box with an inner tray, decorated in the yok-let-pan-gya. The technique used to decorate the box is unusual, the figures appear to be raised as if the lacquer had been dribbled in thin thread-like strands onto the surface from a fine tube. The lid of the box is composed of a mixture of belu-demons on flying chariots with flags flying at both ends, the poles act as dividers forming a zig-zag pattern. Also depicted are kinnaya bird-men flying with peacock feathers, elephant-headed birds, men on elephants and horsemen. The side panel of the lid is covered with a procession of rabbits, monkeys and tigers. The side panel of the base is decorated with similar figures seen on the cover, these are well preserved. The bottom of the base is again similar to the lid, with red figures on a finely hatched green ground. The bottom of the base is preserved much better than the sides and lid, with the lacquer being more colourful. There is slight damage to the side panel of the base, with the bamboo being visible due to lacquer coming away from the object, and a hole through to the interior. Likewise the lacquer is cracked and chipped on the lid.
Place
Asia; Southeast Asia; Myanmar
Period
Mid 19th century Late 19th century
Source
Singer, Noel Francis [collector and donor]
Department
Anth
Reference Numbers
MN0126.299; MAA: MN0126.299; 33
Cultural Affliation
Material
Bamboo; Lacquer
Local Term
Measurements
108mm Weight 0.47kg
Events
Context (References)
Fraser-Lu, Sylvia. 1985. Burmese Lacquerware. The Tamarind Press: Bangkok. p 77. Fig. 67
An example of yok-let-pan-gya pattern, reference only.
Event Date 13/11/2017
Author: Annie McKay
Description (Labels & Markings)
A label adhered to the exterior reads '33'. This is in reference to an inventory of lacquerware seen amongst the collector's paperwork written on 14th April 1999.
Note seen inside the betel box reads '26th July 1986 Portobello Rd £23. Betel Nut Box (MID TO LATE 19TH CENTURY) Decorated in the YOK-LET-PAN-GYA
see Sylvia Fraser Lu's book "Burmese Lacquerware" page 77. No. 67.
Cover with [drawing] BELU-DEMON ON A FLYING CHARIOT WITH PENNANTS FLYING [drawing] KANNARA. BIRDMAN FLYING WITH PEACOCK FEATHER IN EACH HAND [drawing] ELEPHANT-BIRD [drawing] MAN ON ELEPHANT ALSO HORSEMEN - RABBITS - TIGERS - BIRDS. P.T.O [drawing] MAN ON HORSE [drawing] ELEPHANT WITH HOWDAH.'
Event Date 13/11/2017
Author: Annie McKay
Description (Physical description)
Middle sized betel box with an inner tray, decorated in the yok-let-pan-gya. The technique used to decorate the box is unusual, the figures appear to be raised as if the lacquer had been dribbled in thin thread-like strands onto the surface from a fine tube. The lid of the box is composed of a mixture of belu-demons on flying chariots with flags flying at both ends, the poles act as dividers forming a zig-zag pattern. Also depicted are kinnaya bird-men flying with peacock feathers, elephant-headed birds, men on elephants and horsemen. The side panel of the lid is covered with a procession of rabbits, monkeys and tigers. The side panel of the base is decorated with similar figures seen on the cover, these are well preserved. The bottom of the base is again similar to the lid, with red figures on a finely hatched green ground. The bottom of the base is preserved much better than the sides and lid, with the lacquer being more colourful. There is slight damage to the side panel of the base, with the bamboo being visible due to lacquer coming away from the object, and a hole through to the interior. Likewise the lacquer is cracked and chipped on the lid.
Event Date 13/11/2017
Author: Annie McKay
FM:278609
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