Black lacquered offering bowls

Two giant Burmese black lacquer special ceremonial offering vessels. Used for centuries to carry gifts of cooked food as offerings to the Buddhist monasteries.

Burmese (Myanmar) lacquer ware has a long tradition dating back to the 13th century. Typically, bamboo and wood are used as a frame or base in making lacquer work. This covered offering vessel is called a “Hsun Ok”. The Hsun Ok is a large stupa shaped vessel (top of a Buddhist temple).