betel-box
- Museum number
- 1998,0723.57
- Description
-
Betel-box made of woven and coiled split bamboo, and lacquer. Of distinctive form associated with the Shan States with a tray in the base; however, decoration, in yun, more likely suggests a Pagan origin. The five elements are made up of a base inside which is a tray (a), a central drum inside which is a tray (b), and the lid. The whole vessel is decorated in red, orange, green and black lacquer in the yun technique. The background is a green net pattern against which are set animals on the top and side of the lid and on the side of the drum. On the base is a mythical animal, identified by RHI as Hanuman, while on the base of tray (a) is a dancer and on tray (b) a lion. All these yun designs are bordered by imitation inlaid and notched bamboo, executed in yun. The interiors are all a good, undecorated, cinnabar red.
- Production date
- 20thC (early)-20thC (mid) (probably)
- Dimensions
-
Diameter: 11.80 centimetres
-
Height: 11 centimetres
- Curator's comments
- The presence of a tray in the base is usually thought of as a Shan feature. However, the yun decoration seems to be entirely Pagan in type.
- Location
- Not on display
- Condition
- Cracks to lid; tray (b) in poor condition; bottom of drum badly broken; base fine.
- Acquisition date
- 1998
- Acquisition notes
- Bought by Mr. Isaacs from U Maung Maung, in Pagan.
- Department
- Asia
- Registration number
- 1998,0723.57
- Additional IDs
-
Miscellaneous number: Isaacs 57
