A large betel-box "kun it" with one internal tray, made of woven and coiled split bamboo covered with lacquer. The slightly domed lid and the drum with yun decoration of king and court scenes and several inscriptions. The interiors with plain cinnabar red lacquer. Condition: traces of usage, some age cracks and wear, rim and lacquer losses, lid with a damaged area. Dimension: diameter: c. 23 cm, 21.3 cm high. Provenance: Swiss collection.

Nice old red and black lacquered Cambodian Siri (betel) box container with foliate scroll pattern incised on the surface. Minor lacquer losses and restoration consistent with an antique piece. The art of Cambodian lacquer production has had a minor renaissance in recent years but this mainly done for the decorative art export market, items made for local village use this has pretty much died out after Khmer Rouge Era and advent of cheap Chinese plastic boxes...

A rare antique, Thai mother-of-pearl inlaid black lac footed cup, or pedestal bowl, Thailand, 18th or early 19th century. The cup of rounded polygonal form with thin sides rising from a decagonal splaying foot, the exterior extremely finely inlaid with various typically Thai designs and motifs in mother-of-pearl against a black lac ground...

DESCRIPTION: From our Southeast Asia Collection, a large and classic 19th century Burmese Hsun-ok constructed of wood that was first lacquered in black, and then covered in successive layers of cinnabar colored lacquer called hinthabada. Over time, through use and handling, the cinnabar lacquer has worn off in some areas to reveal the black lacquer base coat underneath, resulting in an attractive negoro effect...

From our Southeast Asia Collection, a large and classic 19th century Burmese Hsun-ok from Pagan, of well- known and documented form, constructed of wood that is first lacquered in black, and then covered in successive layers of cinnabar-colored lacquer called hinthabada. Over time, through use and handling, the cinnabar lacquer wears off to reveal the black lacquer base underneath as seen on this example, in an effect likened to the negoro effect seen in Japanese lacquerware...

Very rare lacquer box with geometrical pattern and convex shaped lid and bottom. The lacquer is quite thick on this piece with an unusual motif. I have only seen two boxes in this style which came out of Yunnan, China, so these may have been made as trade items to Yi minority who seem to make similar, though less sophisticated, patterned lacquer pieces. This was made in the first half of the 20th century, and except for a chip on the lid surface it is in excellent condition...

This is a page from the rare Burmese Buddhist Sutra manuscript called the the KAMMAVACA. The pages of these religious sutras were made from a thin strip of bamboo covered with cloth (frequently monks robes) which was thickly coated with red lacquer and gold leaf decoration. Lacquer from tamarind seed was used for the square black lettered text which is in the now extinct Burmese religious script of Pali...

A elegant lacquerware for monastery use. Made in Kyaukka, in the lower Chindwin District in Burma, made from woven matting and coiled bamboo and lacquered in black and red. This piece has seven sections. These original Kyaukka pieces are difficult to come by. Size: H. 38cm. W. 40cm. Condition: All original. Some minor chips and one small piece re-glued on. See photo.

A genuine antique wooden flower offering tray with cinnabar red lacquer, 19th Century, Northern Thailand. Small size: H. 5.5" x 7" diameter (14 cm. x 18 cm.). Condition fair, used. Very difficult to find!

Very fine lacquer “siri” box from the Karen ethnic group in Northern Thailand. This has thick application of black lacquer and a fine naturally aged patina- circa 50 to 60 years old. There are two inner trays and is in good condition- there is one old repair at the bottom that may be noted in the last enlargement. H: 10.5cm4.1in and D: 9cm/3.5in.

Burmese gilded kammavaca manuscript. 10 double sided pages and 2 wooden covers. 6 lines to page. Each page 60 X 15 cm. Good condition. Undated, estimated to be mid to late 19th century.

A rare antique Cinnabar Red Lacquer Basket from Northern Thailand. 19th Century. A very labour intensive handmade procedure where woven and coiled bamboo and clay formed the base of this container. Furthermore, 6 ribs were bent and curved to form feet at the base. The top was curved and rolled inwards and many coats of lacquer were applied over and over after drying each one. Overall condition good, some wear, size: 17.5 cm. height x 38 cm. top diameter, 24 cm. bottom diameter.

DESCRIPTION: In Burma (now called Myanmar), one of the most honored and beautifully decorated ceremonial pieces was the box that held the many gold lacquered sheets of Buddhist manuscripts, called the Kammawasa. These sheets are read aloud at monastic assemblies, and topics covered could 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 moon, or other such instructions...

Superb antique lacquered bamboo woven box from the Lisu ethnic minority, Northern Thailand. This piece is in good condition with minute losses to lacquer but perfect woven body. Please view enlargements to appreciate the fine detail on this, also note that this double walled. L: 11.cm/4.2in, H: 5.5cm/2.3in and W: 6.5cm/2.5in.

Nice old antique black lacquered bamboo and wood box from Cambodia circa 1950 or earlier. This part of a collection I acquired almost 20 years ago. Khmer lacquer is quite rare, not many crafts survived the Khmer Rouge era, and is a lost art. Some wear and restoration as to be expected but no major damage. D: 5cm/7.8in and H: 10.5cm/4.1in.

A very large and rare Cinnabar Red Wood and Lacquer Offering Tray, 19th Century, Northern Thailand. Good overall condition, some wear due to considerable age. Size: H. 31 cm. x 51 cm. top diameter. Very difficult to find now.

A set of rare and complete Burmese manuscript (KAMMAVACA) made from thick cloth coated with gold and lacquer in nice condition. It was written in the Pali language using Burmese script. The square letters were written in thick and black cinnabar lacquer. This set has 16 leaves and 2 wooden covers made from teak wood. Each leave was inscribed on both sides with illustrations of deity figures from Hindu-Buddhist mythology on some leaves...

6187 250.00 Very rare old Cambodian woven bamboo lacquered scroll box with a partial mother of pearl inlay design, circa early 20th CE. This is an unusually large piece in good original condition, some surface loss to the lacquer but no breakage on the woven walls. The body is still pliable, the lid is a bit scuffed- to be expected from an old item. H: 42cm/16.5in and D: 13cm/5.1.