Antique wooden Burmese Nat statue. - Wood - Myanmar - 20th century

Groot Antique Burmese Wooden Nat-Image - "Princess" - Mandalay Style - 51 cm / 6.7 kg

Offered is a beautiful and very monumental antique Burmese Nat statue (guardian spirit) from Myanmar (Burma).

- This refined statue depicts သမီးတော်မလေး (Thameedaw Malei), which in Burmese translates to "Little Royal Daughter" or "Princess".

- The name of this specific spiritual guardian spirit is hand-cast/engraved on the original gold-and-red cartouche on the front of the pedestal. This kind of explicit name inscription is rare and makes the object even more sought after by collectors of Asian art.

- Craftsmanship & Materials:
The statue is masterfully hand-carved from a single solid piece of high-quality Burmese teak. The impressive weight of no less than 6.7 kilograms testifies to the enormous density and quality of the hardwood used.
The sculpture is traditionally finished with a black lacquer base, after which it is richly gilded with authentic gold leaf. The edges of the clothing and the topknot are subtly decorated with inlaid mirror glass (thayo relief work).

- Unique details:
The face is of exceptionally high artistic quality. The almond-shaped eyes are not simply painted but feature inlaid white porcelain/glass, giving the statue a serene and lifelike gaze. Note the extremely rare and fine details, such as the eyelash hairs painted with a hair-thin brush on the eyelids.

- Condition:
The statue is in a beautiful, authentic antique condition with a richly seasoned patina. The wear to the gold leaf—causing the black lacquer to show through naturally at contact points—testifies to decades of devout use. The underside shows a natural, stable crack common in dry hardwood, underscoring the age and authenticity of the piece. In the past, felt pads were placed under the base to protect furniture.
Specifications:
• Origin: Myanmar (Burma)
• Representation: Nat image "Thameedaw Malei" (Little Royal Daughter)
• Material: Solid teak, black lacquer, gold leaf and glass inlay
• Height: 51 cm
• Weight: 6.7 kg (6700 grams)
A top piece for the serious collector of early Burmese Buddhist and animist art. The object will of course be shipped with the utmost care, professionally packed and insured."