Burmese Rectangular Box with Inscriptions

Pavilions and figures crowd the lid of this orange box.

This rectangular lacquered wood box with inscriptions is from Burma, and dates to the 20th century. Inscribed or incised lacquer boxes from Burma often show scripts and patterns cut into the surface and then filled with colour before final polishing. Orange-red and covered in fine black and gold linework, the surface shows a palace scene with seated figures on the top and bands of animals and foliage around the sides. Short feet support the base, and the edges are scuffed. It is 9 inches wide, 8 deep and 4 high.

A tiny theater, with a full cast and no intermission.