Antique Burmese lacquer betel box.

A round betel or incense box, with engraved figures and motifs throughout, which were called Yok-Thei: human and animal figures borrowed from Animism.

This has two halves to it, with black lacquer and the traditional reddish/brown colour. With a stylised bird at the top and around the sides of box are pictorial figures.

Inside is a rich reddish/brown colour, it has a piece of paper inside with script (Burmese?)

Burma was famous for its extensive Laquerware, which extended from gifts to royalty to everyday use at home.

The lacquer, is the sap tapped from the varnish tree (or thitsee) that grows wild in the forests of Myanmar (formerly Burma). It is straw-coloured but turns black on exposure to air. When brushed or coated, it forms a hard glossy smooth surface resistant to moisture or heat. Lacquer vessels, boxes and trays have a coiled or woven bamboo-strip base often mixed with horsehair. The sap is then mixed with ashes or sawdust to form a putty-like substance, which can be sculpted. The object is coated layer upon layer to make a smooth surface, and then polished and hand engraved with intricate designs. As the lacquer is very thin when applied, it requires many coats to provide an even finish. The preceding coat must be completely dry and highly polished before applying the next one. With some objects having as many as 100 such layers, it is intensive work, then the engraving as well.

Measuring 10.2cm in diameter (bottom of each of both lids) Approximately 9cm height 2mm thickness of edge of bottoms of lids

In good condition, inside good, a few indentations, these could have been original. A few very slight tiny chips to edges of rims. No cracks. Top bird motif, has a couple of small nicks. A few very small nicks throughout but minimal.