This large box has a well-fitted cover with sides that overlap the walls of the inner vessel. It is decorated with black lacquer painted onto a red ground. The black layer was incised to reveal the red beneath. Scenes of a royal pavillion and armed guards wearing Shan style clothing adorn the cover, whilst the sides are decorated with figures walking through foliage between tall structures, which are possibly offering trees. Lacquer boxes are one of the most popular forms within the vast repertoire of Burmese lacquer and the more elaborately decorated pieces were highly prized. Cylindrical boxes were made to store clothes and cosmetics. However large elaborately decorated boxes made in Laikha are also known to have been given as royal gifts to the Chinese emperor.
