betel-box
- Museum number
- 1998,0723.146
- Description
-
Small, tall, betel-box, one of the group 1998. 7-23. 143-147, made to order in 1991 at the Royal Golden Tortoise Workshop, Pagan. Made of woven and coiled split bamboo, and decorated internally with plain red (slightly brownish) with, on the exterior, a modern version of the hsi-gyo-gwet pattern in pinkish red on glossy black lacquer. Contains one plain black internal tray. Inscribed and dated on the base, along with the tortoise mark of the workshop.
- Production date
- 1991 (dated by inscription on base)
- Dimensions
-
Diameter: 7.50 centimetres
-
Height: 8 centimetres
- $Inscriptions
-
- Curator's comments
- The donor recorded of items 143 to 147: "My purpose in ordering these particular designs in identical sizes was to display the 'state of the art' in a highly reputed workshop. The chief master designer, Saya Win, is keen to revive old traditional designs as well as to promote his house speciality the 'Pagan Age' design (nos 144, 148). This set of five Bbs [betel boxes] shows some excellent workmanship, in the Pagan Age pattern and in the planets/animals of the Gyo-shit-lon (145). But the interior with one crude black tray betrays cursory standards and commercial pressure. The exterior finish is inconsistent, and the colour range with its brownish-pink and wishy-washy green downgrades the overall quality."
- Location
- Not on display
- Condition
- Good, but quality is a little rough.
- Acquisition date
- 1998
- Acquisition notes
- Bought by Mr Isaacs from Royal Golden Tortoise Workshop, New Pagan in January 1992. See also 1998.0723.143-147.
- Department
- Asia
- Registration number
- 1998,0723.146
- Additional IDs
-
Miscellaneous number: Isaacs 149
