WOOD CARVING-

Characteristic of Burmese art and artifacts are their intricate and dimensional wood carvings. The oldest remaining examples of wood carving date to the 11th century in Nagayon, Bagan. What exists here tells of a much greater lineage of craftsmanship that has since disintegrated. Typical of Burmese carvings are organic shapes composed with great fluidity and a library of images of flowers, nature, human figures, mythical creatures, and geometric designs. These wood carvings often were created to adorn doorways, rooftops and facades, as well as many architectural elements within Temples or Palaces. There is a 13th century carving that suggests that the pyat-that-hsaung (buildings with tiered roof) were also covered in gold leafing.

GOLD AND GLASS USE -

Dating back to the Mandalay Period is Burma (1752 - 1885), this Palanquin is finished in gold leaf and color painted glass spangles. It is adorned with Naga heads (mythological water snakes). This one of a kind piece belonged to a temple and was utilized only as a ceremonial transfer for high monks on their way to their final journey.

BRONZES-

The oldest evidence of metal crafting in Burma is in the form of a bronze hook, iron rods and knives found in Neolithic period sites in central Burma dating around 460BC. Still using old methods of individual lost wax casting, bronze production is now centered in Mandalay. One of the most prevalent small bronze items still produced today are the "opium weights". These were classically sold in sets of ten and in the form of a mythical bird or animal.

NON-BUDDHIST ICONOGRAPHY-

Burmese structures were often ornately carved with decorative and representional figures. The sanskrit word for "god deity" is Deva, also meaning a demi-god or spirit creature. Devas were respected in Burmese culture as gods of nature and disciples of the Buddha. This set of guardian Devas adorn a replica of an ancient entranceway. Their hands are raised in a symbolic hand gesture [mudra]. This mudra is called the Abhaya mudra which is the "gesture of bannishing". The two outer fingers extend upward like horns of a Yak against his enemy. The guardians protect the temple from evil. This hand gesture has been assimilated into many other cultures as a symbol of warding off evil.