Country Group: South and Southeast Asia (Thailand, Burma, Laos, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Vietnam)

Item id: 510

This an antique Burmese Buddhist Shan style Temple textile . It is a piece I am told that would go on the ceiling of a temple. It has a Buddha in the center surrounded by Buddhist devotees, animals, and writing. It is heavily encrusted and soiled with smoke, humidity, and time, as can be seen in the photos. It is actually darker than the photos appear. The beauty still shines brightly and powerfully. I'm not sure if it can be cleaned: it looks wonderful as it is, much like an old Tibetan Thangka. I don't know much about this: I assume that this one is early 20th century and is painted on cotton. It is a very good size at 33 by 33.5 inches. I've seen these go for extremely high prices: I bought a group of them on the Burmese border many years ago and have had them put away. I still see them, but not of this quality and beauty any more.