The Tradition of Wood Carving in Southeast Asia

December 30th, 2017

Southeast Asia has always been thickly forested, so it was natural that the first material to be used for artistic purposes should have been wood, though because of its lack of durability, it is hard to trace the earliest examples of wood carving in the region.  The wood carving tradition, dating back to ancient times, prevailed even after the use of metals and stone emerged. Wood carving flourished long after the great age of stone sculpture and stone architecture, which ended in the 13th century.

Nowhere has the tradition of wood carving in Southeast Asia been more prolific and impressive than Burma. Temples and palaces were richly decorated with highly detailed roof edges, gates, Buddha images, images of monks, effigies of celestial beings, doorways and panels, and windows all carved from hardwood in designs uniquely Burmese. Wood carvings of religious significance were often gilded and decorated with a glittering mosaic of stained glass.

Antique Wood Carvings
Gilded Buddhist Antique Wood Carvings from Burma and Laos

The work was done with a variety of different sized chisels and mallets made from tamarind wood of varying weights, depending on the degree of detail required. Apprenticeships under the guidance of a master carver with several decades of experience lasted as long as ten years. Burmese wood carving is noted for its wonderful spatial arrangement, sense of freedom, and flow. Mostly, work was done in teak to survive the rigours of a climate of intense heat and humidity followed by long dry periods. For highly articulate work, Burmese carvers preferred fine-grained woods such as yindaik, similar to ebony. Popular designs imitated foliage such as vines with flowing outlines, and the use of holes to create a sense of depth with light and shadow.

Buddha images were sensitively carved with the objective of conveying a sense of peace, equanimity, and faithfully portraying the countenance of one who has overcome suffering in the world. The flowing lines of the Buddha’s robes, the tranquil facial expression, and detailed bases such as the lotus pedestal, all contribute to producing works of art that inspire reverence amongst devotees.

Buddha Wood Carvings
Burmese Buddha Statues and Pair of Teppanom Angels Carved from Wood
Burmese Buddhist Wood Carvings of Monks
Antique Wood Carvings of Monks from Burma

Nat spirits were also carved in wood, and while less refined in execution than Buddhist images, were highly expressive. There are 37 ‘official’ Nats and there are said to be as many as 2000 lower Nats of various forms. A favourite Nat of ours is Nga Pyi, Rider of the White Horse (shown below), who was executed for his tardiness in delivering an important message on behalf of a prince.

Antique Burmese Nat Wood Carvings
Burmese Nat Spirit Wood Carvings

Even utilitarian objects in Burma were decorated with attractive forms carved from wood, such as the ox cart, which in the past would have on its bow an ornament carved from wood. An example of this is featured below; the Feng Huang, said to be a mythical bird of infinite grace.

Antique Wood Carving
Antique Burmese Ox Cart Ornament, Javanese Husband and Wife Statues, and Ox Wood Carving

Wood carvings other than those from Burma featured in this blog include a wonderful pair of rare 19th century statues from Java, Indonesia, known as ‘husband and wife statues’, a pair of antique Thai roof gable ornaments decorated in lichen, a Buddhist panel from Laos, and a rare shamanic ritual printing woodblock from Vietnam.

Antique Wood Carving
Antique Naga Wood Carvings and Roof Gables
Antique Wood Carvings
Antique Saddle Ornament, Opium Weight / Scales Box, Shamanic Woodblock

Antique wood carvings have a unique organic quality and possess the sense of presence instilled in objects lovingly made by hand in times past, before the homogeneous conformity of factory produced goods became commonplace.

Asian Antiques
Asian Antiques
Asian Antiques
Asian Home Decor

Asian Home Décor from sabai designs gallery

December 17th, 2015

In our last post for the year we are featuring a selection of photographs of Asian antiques, artifacts and textiles from our gallery in an Asian home décor setting. We wish all of the visitors to our gallery a happy holiday season and offer our best wishes for 2016.

Burmese Buddha Statue
Asian Antique Home Decor
Asian Antiques
Asian Antique Home Decor
Asian Antiques
Asian Antique Home Decor
Asian Antiques
Asian Antique Home Decor
Asian Antiques
Asian Antique Home Decor
Asian Antiques
Asian Antique Home Decor
Asian Antiques
Asian Antiques
Asian Antique Home Decor
Asian Antiques
Asian Antique Home Decor
Asian Antiques
Asian Antique Home Decor

Asian Decor: Buddha Statues, Burmese Antiques & Textiles

December 4th, 2013

We recently acquired some wonderful Asian antiques now listed in the gallery including Buddha statues, lacquerware, bronze bells, ceramics and textiles, mostly from Burma. Sometimes it’s difficult to fully appreciate pieces offered in the gallery without the opportunity of seeing them in a home setting so we are displaying them here to provide a sense of context.

Asian Home Decor with Antique Buddha Statue, Monk & Lacquerware
Asian Home Decor with Antique Buddha Statue, Monk & Lacquerware

Displayed here are an antique wood carving statue of the Buddha and a monk as well as an antique lacquerware vessel know in Burma as kun-it. Burmese artisans are well known for their expertise in wood carving. The tradition of lacquerware is centuries old in Burma and a great variety of vessels exist. They can be made from bamboo, rattan, or  jackfruit wood which are then applied with several layers of natural and pigmented lacquer which is then decorated with an iron stylus using various motifs.

Asian Home Decor: Buddha Statue, Bronze Bell, Lacquerware Box
Asian Home Decor: Buddha Statue, Bronze Bell, Lacquerware Box

This entry incorporates both European and Asian influences without a conflict in aesthetics. With a little experimentation, Asian and European decor can complement and contrast one another beautifully.

Asian Decor: Dining Room Decorated with Burmese & Thai Antiques
Asian Decor: Dining Room Decorated with Burmese & Thai Antiques

This exotic dining room incorporates a cane dining setting decorated with a silk runner and 15thC Swanakhalok shipwreck jar. In the background are a decorated Burmese lacquered panel and sideboard upon which sits an antique bronze elephant bell, antique Burmese ox cart ornament and antique monk wood carving. And most precious of all, Lilly getting her beauty sleep.

Buddhist Art from Burma
Buddhist Art from Burma

Mirrors bring light and depth into rooms, reflecting colour and art work , and creating shifting visual effects. Featured in this photo is a rare Shan Buddha statue carved from wood, lacquered and then gilded. Beside the Buddha are a monk and lacquer-ware box. On the wall hangs a painting by a Laotian artist and reflected in the mirror is an antique Lisu hill tribe silver necklace.

This photo shows a wider view of the dining room with the addition of a pink orchid. Orchids are surely one of the most exquisite members of the botanical world and lend themselves to creating a relaxing Eastern ambiance.

Asian Decor: Living Room Decorated with Asian Antiques and Etching by Thai Artist

This living room features a collection of Burmese antiques and an etching by Thai artist, Vorakorn Metmanorom. The timber, furnishings and lighting used help create a warm atmosphere.

Asian Interiors
Asian Interiors

Another shot of the dining room with the concertina doors opened. Decorative pieces include a Burmese Chin runner, Burmese lacquer-ware, Buddha statue with attendant monks and Chinese overhanging gilded frame.

The decor items featured in these photos are available at the time of posting and represent just a small selection of the Asian antiques, art, silk and tribal textiles, as well as collectibles available in the gallery.

Ancient Artefacts and Tribal Textiles from Vietnam

November 3rd, 2011

We recently returned from a wonderful visit to Vietnam where we were reminded of the vibrant and progressive mood of the country and its people. Vietnam has a young population and their spirit of optimism is infectious. Still fresh in our minds are the things so distinctly Vietnamese: the cuisine with its freshness and subtle flavours, the sight of Vietnamese women in their traditional dress, the ao dai, older women in conical hats selling their produce, ancient citadels resting amongst French and Chinese influenced architecture, cups of syrupy local Robusta coffee that keep you sharp as you cross the streets amidst buzzing, unrelenting traffic….

Hanoi
Hanoi

We returned with dozens of new photographs, soon to be added to the photo gallery, as well as some very special antiques from the collection of long time Hanoi resident, Nguyen and her partner. Nguyen graduated from Hanoi University of Foreign Linguistic Studies and her love of Vietnamese cultural objects led to her career as a major collector of Vietnamese ethnographica. She has supplied the Museum of Fine Arts of Vietnam with many extraordinary antiques and tribal textiles over the years as well as the MET in New York.

We acquired a few special pieces from her impressive collection to offer our clients including three ancient unearthed artefacts dating back from 400 B.C to 100 A.D – a spearhead, bronze pot handle and a small bracelet with a striking green-blue patina from the Dong Son Period. We also retuned with a beautiful ceramic vessel salvaged from the Cham Island Shipwreck in the South China Sea that is 528 years old. Other antique pieces include a Red Dao Shamanic Printing Block that was used for making ritual money. Several framed prints will soon be available in the gallery made from a variety of such antique blocks. We were given highly detailed information on each piece including its provenance, history and the artistic traditions of the time. A certificate of authenticity will be provided for each piece along with notes on the object purchased.

Ancient Bracelet, Spearhead, Pot handle
Ancient Bracelet, Spearhead, Pot handle

Also new to the gallery are several tribal textiles from the Ta Oi, Hmong and Dao minority people of Vietnam. One of most endearing tribal items we’ve ever acquired is a pair of antique young boy’s  shoes from the Hmong in Lao Cai province. There are 53 ethnic minority peoples in Vietnam! From the Kinh people we offer a Ymon Panel, ‘The Burning Pearl’ made of cotton and embroidered with silk dating back to the early 20thC. Another relic of the past that we have never encountered before is a page from the book of a Thai Taoist Shaman from the 19thC written on parchment in beautiful script which has been framed.

We hope you enjoy viewing our new offerings and photos from Vietnam. If you have any questions about any of the items in the gallery please contact us at info@sabaidesignsgallery.com

Dao Hong Tu Minority Textile, Dao Minority Textile, Ta Oi Minority Textile
Dao Hong Tu Minority Textile, Dao Minority Textile, Ta Oi Minority Textile
19thC Shamanistic Ritual Instruction, Vintage Hmong Boy's Slippers
19thC Shamanistic Ritual Instruction, Vintage Hmong Boy’s Slippers