A BURMESE LACQUERED OFFERING TRAY ON STAND (KALAT)
Shan States, Eastern Burma, Myanmar, South East Asia, ca. 1920

The top of circular, concave, shallow shape, resting on a circular stand with thirteen carved, baluster-like pegs, the red lacquer ground of the top over-painted in black with a solar or spiral pattern, with curled waves on the outer border and a scalloped edge, the underside plain black.

49.5cm diameter and 27cm high

Provenance: UK diplomatic family collection since the early 20th century.

This Burmese kalat (also known as daung-lan) would have once been used as a food tray during either communal dinings or for ritual food offerings to monasteries. In the first instance, it was usually placed on the floor at waist level right in the middle of the gathering, allowing diners to directly serve themselves. Its style is reminiscent of the small tables and offering trays produced in Eastern Burma, most probably by the Intha people of Inla Lake in Yawnghwe State. These trays were usually made of bamboo and coated with red and black lacquer.