Burmese Lacquer Tray 02

This is a Burmese black, orange and cream lacquerware tray. Engraved in the centre is a fine displaying peacock design, encircled by a scalloped frame and fine lines. The peacock (u-daung) in Burma is a symbol of the sun. Around this are four butterfly designs, and two sets of fine circlular lines bring cohesion to the design. On the lip of the tray are floral designs like petals. Hand-painted on the front are Tamil initials added later - this is because the Chettiars typically belonged to large joint families, with each branch of the family owning very similar objects of their diasporic heritage. It was important to etch their belongings (valuable or utilitarian) with initials, clearly indicating ownership. On the back of the tray in engraved Burmese script is the master craftsman’s name ‘Saya Minn’, and where it was made ‘from Santan’.