Description (Inscription)
[Singer, Noel Francis] translation:
Lid: 'Papahtan-phyar-daw-set' (mat being delivered to the princess Pa Pa Waddi). 'Thet-ga-yit-1303-hnit-ah-twet' (made for the year 1941).
Base: 'Min Kutha saung-ti' (Prince Kutha playing his harp), and 'Mingyi may han' (The king questions Kutha).
Event Date
Author: Annie McKay

Description (Labels & Markings)
The interior is marked 'B.L.15.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.
Event Date
Author: Annie McKay

Context (References)
Fraser-Lu, Sylvia. 1985. Burmese Lacquerware. The Tamarind Press: Bangkok. p 51. Fig. 26
Event Date 1985
Author: Annie McKay

Description (Labels & Markings)
A label adhered to the exterior reads '56'. This is in reference to an inventory of lacquerware seen amongst the collector's paperwork written on 14th April 1999.
Event Date 14/04/1999
Author: Annie McKay

Description (Physical description)
Damaged betel box decorated with red, yellow, green and black lacquer, in two parts. It is inscribed referencing the princess Pa Pa Waddi and Prince Kutha. The lid is decorated with five panels showing scenes from the Kutha jataka. These scenes are separated with palatial architecture, including roofs and walls. There are 16 figures in total depicted on the lid. The scenes show a mat being delivered to the princess Pa Pa Waddi. The side panel of the lid is decorated with a floral motif. The base is well preserved and shows Prince Kutha playing his harp, he is surrounded by three other figures. The colours on the base are brighter than those on the lid. The side panel of the base shows two alternate scenes, the King questioning Kutha and two figures possibly dancing or fighting. There is substantial damage to the lid of this betel box. Part of the side panel has broken away from the lid, and an attempt has been made to fix this by attaching brown tape to the inside. In addition there is a large crack going down the side panel.
Event Date 13/11/2017
Author: Annie McKay