Offering box (hsun-ok); Burma, early 20th century.

Offering box (hsun-ok); Burma, early 20th century.
Carved and red lacquered wood.
Measurements: 73 x 38 cm.
Lacquer vessel made of red lacquered wood. It is constructed in two main parts, and opens to reveal a red compartment. The shape of the piece resembles a pagoda. Intricately detailed decoration on the neck of the lacquered piece, this is combined with the elegant unadorned body.
Traditionally, these items are used for the ritual of bringing offerings to the monastery or for displaying offerings next to a Buddha image. The nobles of the Mindon Min court (1853-78) used similar vessels during extended audiences, in which case they would have been described as pwe-daw-ok.