betel-box;
betel equipment
- Museum number
- 1998,0723.168
- Description
-
Betel-box of lidless variety, set on a splayed foot. It is made of woven and coiled split bamboo and lacquer and there are two internal trays. The interiors are covered in a glossy deep cinnabar red lacquer. The exterior decoration is executed in the yun yechnique, in yellow on reddish brown lacquer with narrative scenes from the Vessantara Jataka, including - king Vessantara pours the two brahmins a drink (he leads the white elephant behind him); the royal family leave the palace by chariot; the children of the royal couple are given away to the brahmin Jujaka; and the appearance of the spirit tiger blocking the path of Queen Maddi as she tries to save the children from being given to the brahmin. Other parts of the design include an unidentified palace scene. It is all slightly rubbed. On the base of the trays, in the same colour scheme, are - an angel with a scroll (upper tray), and a bird amongst vegetation (lower). Both central designs are set within concentric sequences of yellow lines. On the base of the drum (outside) is a medallion with an inscription; there is the remains of a secondary inscription, stamped in violet ink, on the base of the drum (inside).
- Production date
- 20thC (early)-20thC (mid)
- Dimensions
-
Diameter: 25.40 centimetres (measured at splayed foot - ie. maximum)
-
Height: 14 centimetres
- $Inscriptions
-
-
- Location
- Not on display
- Condition
- Good.
- Associated titles
Associated Title: Vessantara Jataka
- Acquisition date
- 1998
- Acquisition notes
- Bought by Mr. Isaacs from Bonton, Scott [= Bogyoke] Market, Rangoon.
- Department
- Asia
- Registration number
- 1998,0723.168
- Additional IDs
-
Miscellaneous number: Isaacs 172
