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Private seller
Damme, GermanyOn Whoppah since February 2025 • 3 sales
Product description
Object & Status Height: 31.5 cm | Width: 11.5 cm | Weight: 1 kg (Wood, lacquer, gilding & mirror inlay) Unique antique temple sculpture — definitively not available again after sale. This authentic Burmese temple figure probably depicts a Nat spirit, a protective spiritual being from the traditional religious culture of Myanmar. Unlike Buddha statues, Nat spirits represent the protectors of families, villages, sacred sites, and natural landscapes. The combination of original gilding, traditional lacquer layers, and mirror inlay gives this sculpture an exceptionally historical character. With its powerful presence, aged surface, and rich symbolism, this sculpture is a unique collector's item and an impressive eye-catcher for a collection of Asian art or a characterful interior.
✓ Authentic temple object: Original religious sculpture from Myanmar, circa 1900.
✓ Probably a Nat spirit: Traditional protective figure from Burmese folk religion.
✓ Original finish: Remains of historical gilding, black lacquer, and red primer layers.
✓ Mirror inlay: The crown features original glass and mirror decorations according to traditional Burmese techniques.
✓ Ritual niche: Reverse side with original cavity for relics, prayer scrolls, or offerings.
✓ Includes: Official certificate of authenticity from 1stbuddha.
Nat Spirits in Myanmar
Nats form an important part of Myanmar's traditional religious culture. Even before the arrival of Buddhism, these protective spirits were revered as guardians of families, villages, mountains, and forests. To this day, Buddhist and Nat traditions coexist within Burmese society.
Protective Spirit: Nat spirits are seen as protectors who can bring happiness, health, and prosperity.
Religious Veneration: Temples and homes often contain separate altars where offerings were made to the Nats.
Ritual Niche: The recess on the reverse side presumably served for relics, sacred texts, or other ritual objects.
Burmese Iconography: The richly decorated crown, gilding, and mirror inlay align with the traditional sculpture of Myanmar.
Authenticity & Material
The surface structure and construction reflect an object that was genuinely used for a long time within a religious context.
Solid Wood: Hand-crafted from wood according to traditional Burmese techniques.
Historical Lacquer Layers: The original black lacquer and red primer layers are still clearly visible in several places.
Original Gilding: Remnants of gold leaf give the sculpture a warm historical appearance.
Mirror and Glass Inlay: The original decoration in the crown has largely been preserved.
Burmese Inscriptions: The base bears old inscriptions that contribute to its historical authenticity.
Honest Collector's Condition: Wear, cracks, old restorations, and wood damage are consistent with its age and attest to long-term religious use.
Specifications
Object: Nat Spirit / Temple Figure
Origin: Myanmar (Burma)
Dating: Approx. 1900
Material: Wood, traditional lacquer, gilding, and mirror inlay
Height: 31.5 cm
Width: 11.5 cm
Weight: 1 kg
Features: Ritual niche, original polychromy, and Burmese inscriptions on the base
Religious function: Protective Nat spirit
Condition: Authentic antique condition with historical wear, natural cracks, old restorations, and traces of use consistent with long-term temple use.
Additional details:
- Brand: 1stbuddha
- Style: Birmese
- Style: Aziatische
- Material: lak
- Material: vergulding
- Material: spiegelinleg
- Colour: verguld
- Period: ca. 1900
- availability: in_stock
- product_type: Beeld / sculptuur
Specifications
CategorySculptureConditionVery goodColorsRed, BlackMaterialWood, GlassSeller locationDamme, GermanyDelivery optionsDelivery or pickup