Antique Burmese Set of Sixteen Double-Sided Kammavaca or Buddhist Manuscripts

Large, rare and important Meiji period, late 19th century, Japanese lacquer cabinet Meiji period (1868-1912) 19th century In three parts, desi...

A Japanese export lacquer cabinet, After Nagasaki late 19th century decorated throughout with foliate, bird and geometric motifs and painted mother of...

A Satsuma Koro and cover by Yabu Meizan, Osaka, 1853-1934, delicately painted with various scenes of children playing, the top with lion finial, raised on...

Three Antique Japanese Items 1) An antique Japanese tabako-ire' with hand tooled gilded kane mono of fuji chrysanthemum. Bronze and shakudo oj...

A large Theravada Buddhism scripture book from Burma, circa late 19th century-early 20th century. The book opens to continuous folding pages that is accordion like. Ink scriptures in curvy Burmese language were handwritten on both sides of the pages. The papers are bind by two lacquered wood covers with elaborate design that features relief scrolls and mini mosaic...

Vintage Burmese Kammavaca Manuscript Chest. A rectangular wooden hinged lid box painted red with gold leaf shwe zawa gold leaf decorations of foliate...

The chest is constructed of teak covered in lacquer and gold leaf with a hinged lid and detailed decoration on four sides. The high relief thayo lacquer depicts narrative scenes, bordered by a tendril vine frame with reserve cartouches of birds, beasts or men within.  The scenes may be from the Mahajanaka Jataka, one of the last Jataka tales of a life preceding the life of becoming the Buddha. This tale of endurance starts by depicting the rivalry between two brothers fighting for the throne. The lid depicts this great conflict having two battling elephants at center. Half of the surrounding characters are sending the opponents into retreat. The brother that is King is killed. The sides of the chest dynamically continue the story. On the right side of the front scene, the pregnant Queen at the front of the palace is informed of the King’s death  by her kneeling subjects.  On the left side of the front panel, the Queen is shown in retreat with her riches sacked upon her head. On the left side of the chest the story continues with Saka the Lord of the Dewas offering the Queen a lift upon an ox drawn cart. The right side of the chest depicts the pregnant Queen at her destination of refuge discussing her predicament with her long lost brother who offers protection in the birth of her child, Prince Mahajanaka. The elaborate high relief thayo lacquer is molded and modeled of a putty of lacquer sap mixed with clay, saw-dust, or ash. The interior and back are lacquered red. Provenance: From a residence designed by Kalef Alaton. East & Orient Company, Dallas. Private collection, Texas. Lark Mason...

This 19th-century Thai manuscript box is a rare and exquisite example of traditional Thai craftsmanship, designed to store sacred palm-leaf manuscripts ...