Box

Thai mother-of-pearl has a long tradition dating back to Dvaravati period (6th to 11th century). Mother-of-pearl was also used to add realism to the eyes of Buddhas made of bronze or wood.

In all Thai Buddhist temples, this kind of lacquer stand on the main altar. Similar offering vessels in mother-of-pearl are still in use today in ceremonial gift-giving occasions in temples, palaces and at home. In addition to offering vessels, trays and boxes, mother-of-pearl was often used to decorate the wooden covers of Buddhist sutras and to create sumptuous temple doors.

The incised red lacquer wares represent an old tradition from northern Thailand, originally the lands of the Lanna kingdom. During the second half of the 16th century, the Burmese wars against Lanna kingdom, which by the end of the century had collapsed, resulted in the massive displacement of craftsmen including lacquer artisans and the re-introduction of this art in Burma.