BURMESE SHAN STATES DRY LACQUER HEAD OF BUDDHA, AVA STYLE. MYANMAR 18-19th C.

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BURMESE SHAN STATES DRY LACQUER HEAD OF BUDDHA, AVA STYLE. MYANMAR 18-19th C.:
$3899.00

BURMA. CAMBODIA. CHINA. INDIA. INDONESIA. JAPAN. KOREA. LANKA. LAO. THAILAND. TIBET.
HOLIDAY SALE - PRICE REDUCED FROM $7,900.00 - BUY WHILE IT LAST.

Rare Burmese Shan States Dry Lacquer Head of Buddha, Ava Style, 18-19th Century.

Description: A magnificant and rather large Shan States Buddha Head, rendered in traditional \'Ava\' style, hollow, made of dry lacquer and cloth, a technique used in Burma called \'Thayo\', which is a type of relief-moulded lacquer. The actual process, still well-preserved and visible inside the head, entailed the use of several layers of lacquer soaked cloth, applied by hand over a clay core, dried, before a malleable layer of lacquer, which is a mixture of sap from the Melanorrhoea Usitate tree, teak sawdust, and straw ash, was formed as a putty, and used in creating the basic facial shape, and later after drying, the finer facial features and detailed hair curls, were also formed in Thayo. When the lacquer image hardened, the inner clay core was removed.

Typically associated with 18th century and earlier influences of the \'Ava\' style, the head is sensitively modeled with softly contoured face and serene contemplative expression, with arched eyebrows bowed high towards the forehead, set above heavy-lidded downcast eyes, bow-shaped lips and small mouth, with almost Mona Lisa aspects to the smile, a broad treatment of the nose, and prominent ears. A thick band separates the forehead from the hairline, with the head covered in thorn-like hair curls, surmounted by a domed ushnisha and stylized lotus bud finial, a separate piece, called a \'Kecil\' (pinnacle), carved of teakwood and sits in the sculpted hole on the top of the head. The surface has a beautifully aged gilded patina, over the originally varnished dark black lacquer pigment.

Hollow lacquer Buddha images were made by a group of village\'s just outside Ye-U township in the Monywa District, approximately 136 kilometres north west of Mandalay. Many of the craftsman were not professional artisans, but farmers, who made Buddha images in their spare time, during the cooler searon from November to February, providing the best conditions for drying both the clay core and the lacquer. One man could make thirty to thirty-five imges per season. Most were being reported as being sold to the Shan States.

Data Observation: Exquisite Condition. Please view detailed photos for overall quality and minor imperfections of the item.

Estimate Value: We are offering this item to our audience at a considerable lower wholesale value.

Dimensions:Height: 16.50 inches (41.91cm).

Shipping: Item(s) shipped direct from Thailand worldwide, through Thailand Post Register Airmail (2-4 weeks) or Sea Freight (3-4 weeks) depending on size. All items shall include insurance, and will be handled with the utmost care and professionally packed. Purchaser is responsible for any applied Customs Duty Fees, Taxes, and related charges, which may be assessed by the buyer\'s government. The winning buyer agrees that any and all claims for loss, damage, or confiscated by country customs of the item will be handled solely through the insurance claims process or the shipping carrier.

Terms: Pay Pal is the accepted method of payment, and must be received within 24 hours of the sale end: includes a 7 day return policy, item must be returned in the exact same condition as sold. Return shipment must be paid by the purchaser.

Guarantee: 100% Customer Satisfaction Guaranteed - We are extremely confident that all items presented from our collection are genuine antiques. In the event the authenticity of an artifact is disputed, please contact us immediately. We will refund the respective purchase price, less a 10% (ten percent) re-stocking fee, provided that the item is returned in the original condition, and at the customers expense, together with copies of the respective receipt (s) and supporting evidence from a suitable qualified authority, certifing that the item we have sent you is not antique. Siam Gallery Co. reserves the right to contest a customers assessment in the event that proof is available to support the pieces authenticity. Please e-mail us with your questions and offer with confidence.

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