Bamboo, lacquer. Burma/Myanmar, 1st half 20th cent.
A cylindrical vessel and inset, rendered for betel nuts; the cover overlapping the vessel to the foot, with colorful painting in lacquer technique against a black ground, the interior with red lacquer; decorated with encircling lines and large flowers and tendrils over a ground pattern; the sides of cover bearing roundels set with figural depictions, and with symbols and animals of the zodiac Ya-thi; the cover with flat upper surface including the symbols of the eight planets (Gyohsit-lon) shaped as animals, each depiction bearing an inscription; the lower part showing only birds, the inset patterned with lines and foliate, some wear, otherwise very good condition.
HEIGHT 22 CM, DIAMETER 23,4 CM
From the collection of a German diplomat