Large two-tierred box with kinnari at the centre

This large two-tierred box has lively painted and incised decoration in black and red lacquer. The cover features a kinnari or female mythical human-bird at with zodiac animals and other figures around the walls. The profuse style with cross-hatched background is thought to be typical of early Bagan lacquer work.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, and were even known to have been presented as royal gifts.

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