Used in Theravada Buddhism, a hsun ok is a vessel with a curved bowl set on a waisted pedestal flaring out to a circular foot-ring a surmounted by a stupa finial. Referred to as an offering vessel, traditionally many Burmese households use large ones to routinely bring offerings of food to the local monastery to feed the monk. They are carried to monasteries by hand or more frequently on the heads of Burmese women. Large ones are lidded containers carrying rice, fruit, or boiled eggs in the base of the bowl-like vessel above which may be fitted trays to hold a serving of curry, accompanied by condiments, betel, and cheroots. They are usually constructed of bamboo or another thin wood and covered with multiple coats of red lacquer (hinthabada) or cinnabar mixed with lacquer sap. The lacquer is mixed with sifted paddy husk to which pulverized bone is added for strength resulting in a plastic material easily modeled. Applying thin strips of lacquer sap are mixed with clay or ash and then the horizontal lines are formed that encircle the piece at and above the foot and below the elegant and inventive finial formed in the shape of a stupa. Bringing offerings to monks in Buddhist monasteries is an important duty of Buddhists who believe that making offerings helps accumulate merit to insure better karma in their next lives. Smaller ones were also used in the home for decorative purposes. They are traditionally placed on a temple altar or in a domestic shrine or on a “Buddha shelf” (called payazin) on the eastern wall of the home.
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Artfully shaped lacquered Hsun Ok for offerings to monks lid with a finial symbolizing a Buddhist stupa and applied mythical animals and floral decorations. Early 20th century pieces with these special details are harder to find and copies abound.
This elegant red lacquer hsun-ok early 20th century has a simple striking silhouette with raised circular layers on a pedestal base and woven vertical bands topped by a tall round finial resembling a Buddhist stupa.
Made in Pagan this miniature hsun ok demonstrates the remarkable sense of design of Burmese wood carvers. It is crafted in two separate parts and replicates the shape of larger hsun-Ok, which traditionally have covers with spired lids topped by elegant finials that imitate the soaring outline of Burmese stupa finials. This modest piece has circular tiers repeated on the foot and the stupa finial top.
Given its size this smaller early 20th century Hsun-ok with simple sophisticated designs may have served as a decorative piece with parallel rows of intricate triangular and beaded borders.
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