betel-box
- Museum number
- 1998,0723.142
- Description
-
Betel-box of Shan type made of woven and coiled split bamboo, and lacquer. The drum of the box is set on a stepped base. There is one internal tray which is covered in plain red lacquer internally and is the typical Shan toffee-brown colouring on the exterior. The interior of both the base and the lid are covered with plain red lacquer. The exterior of the lid is magnificently decorated in the yun technique with an unusual pattern of flowers within ogival frames, all set in other floral and leaf pattern. The colouring is yellow and hatched red, all on black. The same pattern is also seen around the side of the lid while a reduced version is seen on the upper part of the exterior of the drum. On the base of the drum is a fine pattern of a leaf-scroll issuing from a central flower which is related to the main design. The bottom of the side of the drum on the exterior is decorated in the typical Shan manner of simulated turned wooden pegs, thit-lon, which are here made of impressed thayo which has then been laid on to the surface of the vessel. Above and below this are single bands of plain yellow bamboo set into the lacquer while still tacky.
- Production date
- 1850-1900
- Dimensions
-
Diameter: 23.50 centimetres (at base)
-
Height: 19.50 centimetres
- Location
- Not on display
- Condition
- Fairly good, but there is a large crack which runs all the way around the middle of the exterior of the drum; the tray and the interior of the base of the drum are also cracked.
- Acquisition date
- 1998
- Acquisition notes
- Bought by Mr. Isaacs from U Myo Zaw, in Rangoon for 1,600 kyats in January 1992.
- Department
- Asia
- Registration number
- 1998,0723.142
- Additional IDs
-
Miscellaneous number: Isaacs 145
