Burmese Cast Bronze Image of a Chin-lon Player

Figurines such as this example were bought by British administrators and their families in Burma as souvenirs and gifts for friends on their return home. As Sylvia Fraser Lu (1994, p. 143) says, some examples barely rise above tourist kitsch but others such as the one shown here, with its sense of proportion, realism and attention to detail is a minor masterpieces of bronze casting.

This figure of a Burmese youth is playing chin-lon, which is played with a rattan ball, and is similar to takrawof Thailand. His pah-so (sarong) is pulled up between his legs and tucked into the front for greater ease of movement. He wears a headscarf. His finely detailed face clearly portrays his concentration as balances one rattan ball on his foot and another on his shoulder.

The figure is attached to its original wooden stand.