Unusual Lacquered & Gilded Islamic Platter
Burma
circa 1980
diameter: 25.8cm, height: 3.8cm
This rare Burmese platter brings together Burmese lacquerware
techniques normally associated with the country's Buddhist art, with Islamic
calligraphy. Burma is predominantly a Theravada Buddhist country but
Muslims are among the various minority groups. This plate reputedly was
commissioned by a Middle Eastern diplomat in Burma.
It features in gold leaf against a black background, a short Koranic verse
towards the bottom of the platter and three columns of highly stylised
script separated by floral scrolling motifs known as maw-pan, all within an
outer border decorated with chu-pan (hook-like foliage).
Burmese Islamic lacquerware is unusual; almost no examples have been
published with the exception of a gilded lacquer Koran box attributed to
the early 20th century and now in the collection of Singapore's Asian
Civilisations Museum.
References: The Koran Box mentioned is illustrated in Bennett, J.,
Crescent Moon: Islamic Art & Civilisations in Southeast Asia, AGSA, 2006,
p. 85.
Inventory no.: 660
Burma
circa 1980
diameter: 25.8cm, height: 3.8cm
This rare Burmese platter brings together Burmese lacquerware
techniques normally associated with the country's Buddhist art, with Islamic
calligraphy. Burma is predominantly a Theravada Buddhist country but
Muslims are among the various minority groups. This plate reputedly was
commissioned by a Middle Eastern diplomat in Burma.
It features in gold leaf against a black background, a short Koranic verse
towards the bottom of the platter and three columns of highly stylised
script separated by floral scrolling motifs known as maw-pan, all within an
outer border decorated with chu-pan (hook-like foliage).
Burmese Islamic lacquerware is unusual; almost no examples have been
published with the exception of a gilded lacquer Koran box attributed to
the early 20th century and now in the collection of Singapore's Asian
Civilisations Museum.
References: The Koran Box mentioned is illustrated in Bennett, J.,
Crescent Moon: Islamic Art & Civilisations in Southeast Asia, AGSA, 2006,
p. 85.
Inventory no.: 660