Burmese Guilt Laquer Bethel Box Hiwtha bird

Description

Set of two rare, antique late 19th century original offering vessel lacquered ornate gilded betel boxes in the shape of a sacred goose, Hintha bird from Mandalay, Myanmar bird "Hamsa". Hintha bird is the Burmese version of the Indian goose called Hamsa which symbolizes perfect union was associated with royalty. Gold lacquer betel boxes, the bird's wings are metal and encrusted with glass details the non-gilded sections are decorated with cinnabar red lacquer. Burmese lacquer makers excelled in building up high relief with applied decoration, as seen on this wooden objects. The hintha are further embellished with moulded relief work in lacquer putty, a technique known as thayo. Then stuck onto the surface and embellished with gold leaves, semi-precious stones, glass, and mirror pieces were inlaid to add value, in accordance with the taste in Mandalay. The plump body of the hinth are separates into two halves revealing a shallow cavity decorated in plain red lacquer. This is where small quantities of betel were stored. The condition of these boxes are relatively good. There are some almost unavoidable losses to the lacquerwork but these are relatively minor. These are fine examples of extraordinary pieces of Burmese religious art.
The smaller bird is in poor condition with flaking good fakes. 7” tall 6” wide
The larger bird is in much better condition.
8” long 6” wide.
These came from an elderly man who purchased these from Burma in the 1950s-1960s.