Vintage Black Lacquer Monk’s Offering Hsun-Ok, Burma/Myanmar (6211)

Description

A hsun ok is a graceful, lidded lacquer vessel used in Theravada Buddhism in Burma/Myanmar by devotees to carry offerings for monks to monasteries or temples to “make merit” toward Buddhist enlightenment. Filled with items such as rice, fruit, boiled eggs, and other gifts, they are traditionally carried by women who place them in altars or next to Buddha images. Lacquerware is a traditional Burmese craft dating from the 13^th century, and was the preferred gift by Burmese kings to foreign envoys.

As traditional, this elegant hsun ok is in two parts. The bottom is set on a waisted pedestal flaring out from a circular foot supporting a vertical section covered with an indentations. The top section flares out to the complete the central bowl and ends with a flat surface from supporting a spire with 8 circular levels lined in red cinnabar. It is intricately decorated spire has  quatrefoils decorated with raised mythical animals interspersed with flowers surrounded by elegant curving elements. On the top is a tall finial representing a Buddhist stupa.

These beautiful creations are time and labor intensive, especially for pieces like this with intricate designs. The skeleton is wood, bamboo, or lacquer and the surface is covered black lacquer covered with multiple layers of red cinnabar lacquer ending in a black surface.  Raised decorations are formed from mixed lacquer sap and ash hand rolled, and carefully applied. The total surface is covered with a layer of black lacquer and covered again with multiple layers of red cinnabar lacquer ending in a black surface. Sometimes, as here, the black wears off revealing the underlying red base coat. Lacquering takes weeks and many applications to make pieces resilient.

Burmese lacquerware continues to be in strong demand, fanning an industry of contemporary pieces, many made for the tourist trade. Vintage authentic pieces are becoming more difficult to find. This large hsun ok in very good condition with a fine patina, some surface losses, and minor damage on the top edge of the bowl.