How Sukhothai Art Adds A Touch Of Class To Your Home

Asian art dates back centuries which makes it one of the oldest forms of artwork currently available. Most people immediately think of paintings when considering art. What you may not be aware of, however, is that there are many assorted types of Asian art like wooden Burmese statues, Buddha statues, copper statues, and lacquerware, to name a few. Burma, which is now known as Myanmar, has a long standing reputation for crafting unique, quality art pieces. The Burmese people, heavily influenced with Buddhism, have produced a number of Burmese statues. Some lesser known lacquerware that are treasured from Burma are Burmese Manuscripts. These ornate manuscripts of religious texts, which are still in use today to ordain monks, can be easily identified by their extravagant decoration that gleams with gold and silver. Sometimes, you may be lucky and find an inlay of mother-of-pearl.

Moreover, Buddhist art are well-liked artifacts found in many Asian homes today. The Buddha statues are often considered sacred pieces and have been used in assisting with meditation which helps to embody a clear mind and soul. these statues are commonly cast of bronze or brass and are produced by obtaining a mold from an existing bronze image, then using this mold to fabricate identical forms of the same image. You will sometimes find the images of Buddha in a reclining position, holding symbolic objects or making symbolic gestures. Nearly all cast-metal reproduction Buddha images are hollow and contain a core, rather than being formed of solid metal.

In ancient times, objects were preserved by encasing them in lacquer. Like icing on a cake, the lacquer object, when hardened, can then be ornamented. Boxes, trays, bowls, plates and betel nut boxes are traditional Sukhothai lacquerware. These items are sought after by Asian art collectors and make a fine addition to any contemporary Asian home. Betel nut boxes can be found in nearly every traditional Burmese home. The cynlindrical-shaped boxes are woven with bamboo. Inside the box you will find shallow trays used for holding the needed ingredients for making betel. The betel may very be the first chewing gum and lipstick combination as it was often chewed by young Burmese women as a way to brighten their lips.

In contrast, Sukhothai Lacquerware are mainly old Burmese objects that have been restored, polished with lacquer and decked out with the classic bamboo inlay distinctive of the Sukhothai pattern. There are just a few families remaining that are still mastering this craft and their uniqueness tends to be a valuable collectors item.

The exceptional quality workmanship and attention to detail on Asian art pieces are nothing short of magnificent. It is certain that you will admire these fine works of art for years to come. You can find many of these objects in private collections, museums and by shopping online art galleries.

Oriental Living has been offering Asian Lacquerware since 1991. Visit their
online art gallery for unique artifacts and other museum quality contemporary Asian art that you will treasure for years to come.