Hsunok Karaweik Mythical bird at the Museum of Oriental Art Ca' Pesaro in Venice

Statuette - Bamboo, Lacquer, Moulded lacquer beads (thayo), Gold, Coloured glass (38,5 x 20cm) 19th century - Burma

This Hsunok in the shape of a mythical bird from the Burmese tradition called Karaweik, is composed of three parts: a bol on a pedestal, a cover and inner compartment removable.

Hsunok Karaweik Mythical Bird (Burma) at the Ca' Pesaro Oriental Art Museum in Venice

Hsunok Karaweik Mythical Bird The exterior of the Hsunok is gilded and decorated and inlaid with white, green and red glass circles and bears fine beads of moulded lacquer (thayo) in relief.

The pedestal features a band decorated with fish scale motifs and two bands decorated with a reproduction of a woven wooden balustrade.

The cut and cover are decorated with semi-circular motifs in relief that overlap and style the feathers of the mythical bird.

The wings form a curved line on the shoulders of the Karaweik and its tail is raised upwards.

His wings and tail are decorated with fine rows of lamellae and the eyes are adorned with red lamellae while his pointed beak and crest are only gilded, with no other decoration.

The Hsunok is a Burmese object, often worn on the head of women and intended to offer food to monasteries during the end-of-year religious festivals during which it is placed before the Buddha altar.

The Hsunok on display at Venice's Museum of Oriental Art measures 38.5cm high but some Hsunoks can be up to 2 metres tall.

As part of these offerings, the base of the bowl is normally used for rice, fruit and eggs, while the compartments are filled with condiments, sauces, curry and ingredients for the preparation of betel.

However, Hsunok in the form of Karaweik are quite rare which makes them one of the exceptional pieces in this museum.

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