betel-box
- Museum number
- 1998,0723.228
- Description
-
Small betel-box ('kun it') made of woven and coiled split bamboo, and lacquer (red, yellow and black). There are two internal trays, the base of the upper one having lost its external decoration, as also has the base of the drum. The internal decoration of all parts is restricted to a plain cinnabar red lacquer covering. The decorative scheme on the exterior of the lid and of the drum is fine, with minutely executed engraving; this is especially notable in the figures and animals within the cellular designs. On an overall background of yellow flecking on red ('chilli-seed') is engraved a cellular pattern which contains the 'ku-nan kan-byat' ('Yunnan semicircles') design, drawn in black to form frames that are separated by vertical rows of little circles, also strongly drawn in black. On the top of the lid are eight frames containing the symbols of the Eight Days of the Week, 'gyo shit myo', while around the side of the lid, and of the drum, are the Twelve Months of the Year, the zodiac, 'yathi-yok'.
- Production date
- 1875-1900 (circa)
- Dimensions
-
Diameter: 9.50 centimetres
-
Height: 8.50 centimetres
- Curator's comments
- Isaacs and Blurton 2000:
Each beast or human figure is drawn in lines much finer than the frame that contains it, so that the figures almost merge into the background. This playful device is a popular convention in the art of the Burmese 'yun' lacquer master and reveals his skill. But it irritated the British at the turn of the twentieth century, who advocated clear outline drawing of figures, detached from the background.
- Location
- Not on display
- Exhibition history
-
2000 Apr - 2000 Aug, BM, 'Visions from the Golden Land: Burma and the Art of Lacquer.'
2002 Apr - 2002 Jul, Bath, East Asian Art Museum, 'Visions from the Golden Land: Burma and the Art of Lacquer.'
- Condition
- Small cracks but basically very good condition.
- Acquisition date
- 1998
- Acquisition notes
- Bought by Mr Isaacs from William Tan, in Scott Market [= Bogyoke Market], Rangoon.
- Department
- Asia
- Registration number
- 1998,0723.228
- Additional IDs
-
Miscellaneous number: Isaacs 232
