Offering box - Bamboo - Hsun it - Burma - First half 20th century

DESCRIPTION Hsun it, an offerings’ box made of woven and lacquered bamboo, composed of 5 elements fitting into each other, it was used by the followers to bring food to monasteries, the rice was placed in the large bowl, then the vegetables on a plate, then fish or meat, and often, small tamarind candies were placed under the top little bowl which could be used as ladle or cup. Region of Bagan, Burma, first half of the 20th century. The name of the varnisher is engraved on the top bowl. Furthermore, the name of the family who used it is painted on the bowl, Mr and Mrs Than Maung, this inscription is much more recent than the lacquer, which explains that these boxes could be transmitted from a generation to another or from family to family. 38 cm high and 37 cm of diameter. Beautiful, very decorative ancient object with a timeless shape. TRAVEL DIARY OF JEAN DUMOULIN During my trip to the region of Bagan in 2017, I had the opportunity of buying an important Hsun it from one of my sourcing-experts, who had purchased one of these next to a monastery in the surroundings of Monywa, he did not use it any longer, the plastic or metal is unfortunately more and more worn. However, the Kywede monastery in the state of Arakan is resisting, and the monk directing it refuses any offering which is not brought in such traditional recipient in lacquered wood. . . CONDITION: Fair condition for an object of daily use from this period, some ancient and local re-lacquering on some parts, lacks, cracks, in short, it bears the traces of use which do not spoil anything of its charm (have a look at the pictures) . It will be carefully packaged and sent by insured mail with track & trace.