A Red-Lacquered Shan Food Box

This teakwood box is covered in black and cinnabar lacquer and decorated with Shan ethnic motifs. The Shans (or Thai Yai) inhabit the high hill country of central Myanmar, adjacent to Northern Thailand. In fact, they are cousins of the Thais, sharing a common origin in Southern China. The Shan settled first in the north and the groups that would later form the Thai kingdoms of Lan Na, Sukhothai and Ayuttaya settled further south. Only the southern migrants were able to achieve independence.The Shans are famous for their sturdy and colorful lacquerware containers. The lacquer is decorative as well as practical; it is made from slow-drying tree sap and repels both water and insects. The exact purpose of this box is unknown. The wave pattern is often found on food platters. The piece dates to the late 19th Century.