BURMESE DRY LACQUER HEAD OF BUDDHA, FRAGMENT. MANDALAY PERIOD MYANMAR Circa 1860

Description

SIAM GALLERY Co.
INVESTMENT LEVEL ANTIQUITIES, COLLECTIBLES, AND DECORATIVE ART
BURMA. CAMBODIA. CHINA. INDIA. INDONESIA. JAPAN. LANKA. LAO. THAILAND. TIBET.
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INVENTRY SALE - PRICE REDUCED FROM ,899.99 - GREAT VALUE.
Rare Burmese Dry Lacquer Head of Buddha, Mandalay Style & Period, Circa 1853-1885.
Description:
A rare and magnificent Buddha Head Fragment, rendered in traditional 'Mandalay' style, hollow, made of dry lacquer and cloth, a technique used in Burma called
'Thayo'
, which is a type of relief-moulded lacquer. The actual process, still well-preserved and visible inside the head, entailed the use of several layers of lacquer soaked cloth, applied by hand over a sandy-clay core, dried, before a malleable layer of lacquer, which is a mixture of sap from the
Melanorrhoea Usitate tree
, teak sawdust, and straw ash, was formed as a putty, and used in creating the basic facial shape, and later after drying, the finer facial features and detailed hair curls, were also formed in Thayo. When the lacquer image hardened, the inner clay core was removed.
Typically associated with 19th century and earlier influences of the 'Ava' style, the head is sensitively modeled with softly contoured face and serene contemplative expression, with arched eyebrows bowed high towards the forehead, set above heavy-lidded downcast eyes, small mouth, bow-shaped with an insipid smile, a broad treatment of the nose, and prominent ears. A finely molded band separates the forehead from the hairline, modeled with remnants of inlaid glass. The head is covered in rasp-like hair curls, surmounted by a domed ushnisha carved with a hole at the top where a stylized lotus bud finial once fit, ( which was a separate piece, called a 'Kecil' (pinnacle), carved of teakwood and sat in the sculpted hole on the top of the head). The surface has a beautifully aged gilded patina, over the originally varnished dark black lacquer pigment, with traces of reddish-maroon paint throughout.
Hollow lacquer Buddha images were made by a group of village's just outside Ye-U township in the Monywa District, approximately 136 kilometres north west of Mandalay. Many of the craftsman were not professional artisans, but farmers, who made Buddha images in their spare time, during the cooler searon from November to February, providing the best conditions for drying both the clay core and the lacquer. One man could make thirty to thirty-five imges per season. Most were being reported as being sold to the Shan States.
Data Observation:
Authentic Burmese Mandalay Head, Fragmented yet Solid Condition. "Sold as presented" with removable stand. Please view detailed photos for overall quality and minor imperfections of the item.
Estimate Value:
,500.00 - 4,500.00(USD).
Dimensions:
Height: 14.25 inches (36.20cm) including the removable stand. Head only: 9.50 inches (24.13cm).
Shipping:
Item(s) shipped direct from Thailand worldwide, through Thailand Post Register Airmail (2-4 weeks) or Sea Freight (4-5 weeks) depending on size. All items shall include insurance, and will be handled with the utmost care and professionally packed. Purchaser is responsible for any applied Customs Duty Fees, Taxes, and related charges, which may be assessed by the buyer's government.
Shipping Calculations:
Cost of shipping is determined by the weight of the packaged item, plus the cost of the packing supplies, plus the registration & export license fees (applicable on all religious artifacts). Please keep in mind that Ebay and Paypal take a combined commission fee of almost 15%, automatically deducted from the shipping charges, which we have offset in the shipping total. We do not profit on shipping fees and do our best to arrive at the most accurate and fair price for all parties involved.
NOTE: Being a religious artifact, a permit will need to be obtained from the Archaeological Department of Fine Arts, certifying this article is allowed to leave the country of Thailand. Expect a one week delay in shipping.
Terms:
Pay Pal is the accepted method of payment, and must be received within 24 hours of the auction end: includes a 14 day return policy, item must be returned in the exact same condition as sold. Return shipment must be paid by the purchaser.
Guarantee:
100% Customer Satisfaction Guaranteed - We are extremely confident that all items presented from our collection are genuine antiques. In the event the authenticity of an artifact is disputed, please contact us immediately. We will refund the respective purchase price, less a 10% (ten percent) re-stocking fee, provided that the item is returned in the original condition, and at the customers expense, together with copies of the respective receipt (s) and supporting evidence from a suitable qualified authority, certifying that the item we have sent you is not antique. Siam Gallery Co. reserves the right to contest a customers assessment in the event that proof is available to support the pieces authenticity. Please e-mail us with your questions and bid with confidence.
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