Antique Burmese Mirrored Gilt Hintha Bird Betel Box

Description

Burmese / Thai Hintha Bird Betel Box
Approximately 11.5" x 8 25" tall x 8.5" wide.
Has some cracking and metal loss as usual for the age (See all Pictures)
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 seseparated into   two halves revealing a shallow cavity decorated in plain red lacquer.
This is where small quantities of betel were stored
Shipped with USPS Ground Advantage