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SIAM GALLERY Co.

INVESTMENT LEVEL ANTIQUITIES, COLLECTIBLES, AND DECORATIVE ART

BURMA. CAMBODIA. CHINA. INDIA. INDONESIA. JAPAN. LANKA. LAO. THAILAND. TIBET.

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INVENTORY SALE - PRICE REDUCED FROM - $2,699.99 - GREAT VALUE

Title: Rare Burmese 'Yamane' Carved Marionette Puppet Head w/ Glass Eyes & Movable Mouth.

Burmese Male Nat Spirit Prince. Myanmar 18/19th Century.

Subtitle: Burmese Theater Puppetry Art. Late Konbaung Period to Early Mandalay Period.

Overview: An exquisite and rather large antique Marionette Head from Burma, hand-carved and hollowed of auspicious wood, modeled in the form of a Nature Spriit (Nat) who were worshipped by the people of Myanmar before Buddhism became popular. This head was originally used in Theatrical puppeteering and was produced during the late Konbaung period (1752-1885) to early Mandalay Period (1853-1885).

In Myanmar string puppets originated from royal patronage during the Konbaung Dynasty in the era of King Hsinbhyushin, 1763-1776, an art which grew and became a popular form of entertainment for the wide Burmese populace. Puppets of this type were traditionally built around a religious-based 'Jataka's stories of Buddhist fables and folktales of Buddha's previous lives. In time puppetry performances became a form of news, current events of Kings, Queens, deceitful Courtiers, and scheming Prime Ministers, and also served as a conduit between the ruler and his subjects.

Description: The Marionette is a wonderful depiction of a young male Burmese Nat Prince, fashioned with a white-colored face for the Burmese theatrical audience to identify the character as a good spirit, modeled from a particularly rare timber known as 'Yamane' wood, which is considerably lighter than Teak. The hand-painted features of the face appear realistic and vivid, portraying a benevolent nature, delicately rendered with inlayed glass mosaic eyes, a long elegant nose, a functional bow-shaped mouth formally operated by a pull string at the back of the head, arching eyebrows in relief, and elongated earlobes adorned with earring pendants. His hair pulled tight to his head is covered by a traditional Burmese style conical headdress.

xxx Vividly painted, the original decoration still display a lustrous glow, accented by rose colour lips, and dark brownish-black hair.

Remarks: Excellent condition, well preserved by re-applied layers of lacquer paint from time to time, with the wood having normal cracks, chips, dents, and paint loss, due to the many years of exposure to the weather and other deteriorating conditions.

In Burmese culture there are many forms of Nats, angels or local native deities worshiped. Some of these spirits have benevolent nature, expressing sympathy and understanding, while offering protection in warding off evil, while others have been seen to represent more adverse phenomena. Among the key 37 Nats, this figure is that of a kindhearted and goodwll spirit, showcases a natural smiling expression, that shows us the Nats happy nature. - "Oh joyful Guardian Spirit, may you show us with your blessings, the blessings of Nature and the Divine."

Origin:xxxxxxxxx Myanmar.

Period:xxxxxxxx 18/19th Century.

Composition:xx Yamane wood (botanical name - Gamelina Arborea) with lacquer paints & natural patina.

Dimensions:xxx Height: 13.50 inches (34.29cm) without stand. Height: 19.0 inches (48.26cm) with stand.

Observation:xxx Excellent Condition with minor dings, dents, and missing string. Please view detailed photos for overall quality and minor imperfections of the item.

Remarks: Extremely Rare Historical Theatre Relic, with removable finial.

Shipping: Item(s) shipped direct from Thailand worldwide, through Thailand Post Register Airmail (3-4 weeks) or Sea Freight (4-5 weeks) depending on size. All items shall be handled with the utmost care and professionally packed. Purchaser is responsible for any applied Customs Duty Fees, Taxes, and related charges, which may be assessed by the buyer's government.

Shipping Calculations: Cost of shipping is determined by the weight of the packaged item, plus the cost of the packing supplies, plus the registration & export license fees (applicable on all religious artifacts). Please keep in mind that Ebay and Paypal take a combined commission fee of almost 15 percent, automatically deducted from the shipping charges, which we have offset in the shipping total. We do not profit on shipping fees and do our best to arrive at the most accurate and fair price for all parties involved.

NOTE: Being a religious artifact, a permit will need to be obtained from the Archaeological Department of Fine Arts, certifying this article is allowed to leave the country of Thailand. Expect a one week delay in shipping.

Terms: Pay Pal is the accepted method of payment, and must be received within 24 hours of the auction end: includes a 14 day return policy, item must be returned in the exact same condition as sold. Return shipment must be paid by the purchaser.

Guarantee: 100% Customer Satisfaction Guaranteed - We are extremely confident that all items presented from our collection are genuine antiques. In the event the authenticity of an artifact is disputed, please contact us immediately. We will refund the respective purchase price, less a 10% (ten percent) re-stocking fee, provided that the item is returned in the original condition, and at the customers expense, together with copies of the respective receipt (s) and supporting evidence from a suitable qualified authority, certifying that the item we have sent you is not antique. Siam Gallery Co. reserves the right to contest a customers assessment in the event that proof is available to support the pieces authenticity. Please e-mail us with your questions and bid with confidence.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN OUR GALLERY OF FINE ART.