146 
ornamentations. The work is thus rapid and easily accomplished, 
the effect charming, and the capabilities infinite, on lines not 
dreamt of in Burma. 
For portfolio covers, panels of wood are coated with th it-si and 
embossed with the greatest ease. This form of moulding material 
is usually made with bone-ash as the thickening substance. A 
thick layer is placed over the sized plaque or other object, and 
while still plastic a soapstone mould is pressed home. If it be 
desired to illuminate portions of the design, the mould is removed 
and pieces of coloured glass pressed into the portions where 
coloured elaborations are deemed necessary. It is then allowed 
to set, and may be sized and gilded or coloured in any fashion 
desired, and finally varni-i e,l over an. 1 phi d aside to dr\ slowly. 
Plate 2 (fig. 2) shows portfolio boards with a rich design in black 
moulded lacquer resembling the most elaborate carved black 
ebony work. 
4th. Burmese Glass Mosaics— From Siam came the art of wall 
decoration by coloured glasses imbedded in ;l l; lV or of thit-si 
putty. While this is practised all over Humta, the examples of 
the Great Pagoda of Rangoon are far superior to the mosaics of the 
other pagodas. Reference has alivadv been made to Air Tilly's 
most excellent work on the " (ih,™ J/„.<. //,-,- ,,f /;,//w/," and the 
reader should consult that work for illustrations of this remark- 
able art. The putty used for ordinary work is made of the 
common grade. f thit-si thickened with saw-dust. For finer 
work the thit-si is boiled until it begins to crackle, when it is 
ith water and allowed to cool. It is then thoroughly 
mixed with cow-dung ash and beaten on a block of wood with a 
stick, ashes being added until the right consistency is obtained. 
It must be used while fresh and before it hardens. This fine 
putty is then formed into long strips one-tenth of an inch in 
thickness and is slightly powdered with fine ashes. Ornaments 
are next constructed of it (in the manner described in connection 
led work) and applied to the larger mosaics 
of wall decoration as may be desired. With glass mosaic 
generally, coa is laid on the plastered wall until 
an even surface is obtained. It is then varnished over with liquid 
thit-si and allowed to dry. The surface is next rubbed down with 
a smooth stone. The pattern is now marked on the prepared 
surface with powdered chalk. The glasses, ready cut, are each 
given a small eoanng of tlut-si on the back and pressed firmlv on 
to the part of the design which they are each intended to occupy. 
Cords of thit-si putty are now placed around and between each 
£ iece of &** i'ied with the knife so that they 
become not only the final binding portions of the thit-si but the 
ouches in the design. The whole is lastly coated over 
wih t iquid^/, and if the dividing lines are intended to be 
glide. h gold leaf is pressed on to the size before it has had time to 
£« JS 6 ? 1 r? rf J lCeS ar \ then cle *ned, when it is found that 
Sm»? G ft ? gn i have been traced on walls or around 
pillars, and as the material sets firmly it is remarkably durable. 
w^^^n y" nis ^ ed Wares.-Some few years ago a reference 
was made to Col. H. St. P. Maxwell, Political Agent of Mampnr, 
for information and specimens of the utilization of the oleo-resin 
