Lacquered Lahpet Box, Burma

Fine Lacquered Box & Cover (Lahpet-ok) for Pickled Tea (Lahpet)

Burma

circa 1920

diameter: 27cm, height: 6.8cm

This is one of the finest Burmese lacquered pickled tea leaf boxes (lahpet-ok) we have seen. It comprises a round, shallow box with seven lift-out trays and a lid. The central tray is for the pickled tea and the surrounding trays are for a variety of dried and roasted beans and nuts, slices of fried garlic, sesame seeds and small dried shrimps that are mixed with the pickled tea and then eaten as a cold snack. The base comprises coiled bamboo which has been lacquered. The sides and cover have been finely etched and coloured with scenes of a Burmese king and palace courtiers. The underside of the base is decorated with a sacred goose motif. Lahpet was and remains enjoyed after most main meals in Burma. It also had a ritual role: according to Fraser-Lu (2000, p. 94), small packets of lahpet were sent to relatives, friends and other acquaintances to announce special events such as a child’s name-giving ceremony, a wedding, or a son’s entrance to the novice monkhood. It is made by steeping fresh tea leaves in brine in earthenware jars for several days. The leaves are then drained, chopped and mixed with sesame oil.

This lahpet-ok is in excellent condition with relatively few chips or scratches. The scenes with which it is decorated are fine and complex, and it is larger than most examples.

References

Fraser-Lu, S., Burmese Lacquerware, White Orchid Books, 2000.

Provenance:

UK art market

Inventory no.: 2556

SOLD