Burmese Temple Offering Vessel with Rooster Finial

An offering of food, carried in something built like a small pagoda.

This temple offering vessel with a rooster finial comes from Burma and dates to the 19th century, made of gilded wood with glass inlays. Lidded vessels of this kind, known in Burma as hsun ok, carried food offerings to monks and monasteries as an act of merit. Raised gold scrolls and roundels cover the lid, bowl and foot, studded with small pieces of glass. Bands of red lacquer-like color separate the tiers. At the very top, a rooster fans its tail. It stands 38 inches high and measures 18.5 across.

A rooster stands on top. Morning comes to every monastery.