DESCRIPTION: Three beautifully detailed, red and gold lacquered sheets of Burmese Buddhist manuscripts describing rules of ceremony. Kammawasa are elaborately decorated manuscripts extracted from the Pali Vinaya pitaka: the monastic code of discipline which is generally read aloud at monastic assemblies. Topics ordinarily covered would include formalities for the ordination of monks and the bestowal of their robes, the consecration of an ordination hall, celebrating the festival of the full moo... Click for details

DESCRIPTION: A four-part Burmese lacquer betel nut box made from coiled bamboo and covered with many layers of colorful lacquer, hand decorated with scenes from the Jakat legends concerning the former lives of Buddha and the White Elephant. When the outer lid is removed, two other decorated trays are revealed which hold various ingredients and tools used in the preparation of the treat. Very good condition with an old Burmese restoration to a design on the lid; C. 1910. ... Click for details

DESCRIPTION: A hauntingly beautiful carved wood figure of a female dancer in traditional Burmese court costume, dating from the first half of the 20th C. (50 to 75 years old). You can almost see the dancer’s graceful movements in the placement of her hands, feet and body, while her beautiful, serene face beckons the viewer to enjoy her dance. Well carved on all sides, the figure is colorfully painted in green, yellow and red pigments. Of significant enough size to make an exotic focal point, ... Click for details

DESCRIPTION: In Burma (now called Myanmar), the most graceful lacquer ceremonial vessel is the Hsun-ok, used for centuries to carry gifts of food as offerings to the Buddhist monasteries. This tall, early 20th Century Hsun-ok comes from the Pagan region in Burma where much of the country's finest lacquerware was produced. Made in a very time consuming process, first the body is formed of many coils of split bamboo, then numerous coats of lacquer, first black, then red, are applied. The patina o... Click for details

DESCRIPTION: A fantastic pair of antique carved and polychrome wood figures, originating from Bali and dating from about 1900 to 1920. These winged wolf-like creatures, crouching within a bed of flowering vines, are quite alert with their mouths open and teeth barred. Some of the original pigments of gilt, red, white and black remain. Indonesia is noted for its fanciful wood carvings that appear on temples and within shrines. These fantastic creatures are a testament to the imagination and s... Click for details

DESCRIPTION: A delightful pare of silver Khmer boxes, reverse hand-hammered to create repousse animal forms, the first of a Buddhist lion, the second of a kneeling elephant. Small boxes such as these were made for storing ingredients used in betelnut chewing, and were produced in wonderfully diverse designs throughout Southeast Asia. This pair is lavished with great detail as evidenced by the toothy grin and fur of the lion and the elephant’s decorative saddle blanket. The removable top halve... Click for details