Antique Lacquer Betel Box, Burma

Large, Signed Lacquer Betel Box

This is the largest Burmese betel box in the Gallery’s collection at present.

It is finely lacquered and incised with orange, green, red, black and yellow lacquer. It is richly decorated with courtly scenes and bands of parrots and flowers. The box still retains two original internal trays. These two are finished with incised designs as is the exterior of the sides of the base which are hidden when the box is assembled. There are several panels of old-style Burmese script including the maker’s name which translates as ‘Master Thaung Htike’ and the place of manufacture -‘ Bagan, Myoma Myantan Ward’.

The condition is very fine; there are relatively few chips or losses to the lacquerwork.