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5.23.90
National museum: Tusk carvings: intricate rows of Buddhas, vines and leaves. Chintzes: some look printed, others batiked. Traditional architecture: walls, windows slant toward center (for stability, air circulation). Therefore furniture also slanted. Raised thresholds: stability, keep evil spirits out, gods live on threshold. Museum: sweltering, badly labeled. Cases labeled "divinities... provenance unknown." Beads (like Tak beads bought at Boorisoothi): Dvarivati 7-9th c. A.D. Tan stone. Also what looks like the shaped/faceted gilded stones. River City: Beads like those claimed as Yao hilltribe -- Mon Dvarivati -- central Thailand 8-9 c. 3000 baht per strand. But at Golden Triangle, exact necklace said to be Burmese Karen. River City is for rich folks -- air conditioned, everything top dollar, though not necessarily top flight. Overwhelming number of antiques (Buddhas!) as well as clear reproductions, with some repros passing for antiques. |