442 Major Burney on the Lacquered-Ware of Ava. 
to the Burmese, which last, I am inclined to think, is the more probable 
cause. The Burmese also state, that the Shans allow their lacquered-ware 
several months to dry between each stage of the manufacture. Buta much 
more easy and expeditious mode of engraving is the Burma d,ho or Burma 
Yowon tho. It is usually executed over a coat of vermilion, but it may be 
done before that colour is given, and upona black ground. The figures and 
ornaments here are cut in the style of our line engraving, (9) and when 
completed, some plain dheet (see is rubbed over the whole, and immediately 
wiped off with a piece of cloth. A little Shan-zee or Shan oil is then rubbed 
on, and wiped off in the same manner. Some yellow sulphuret of arsenic, 
or orpiment, called by the Burmese ¢shé-dan, and by natives of India hartal, 
is powdered fine, and rubbed dry over the surface of the lacquered ware. 
The mineral adheres only to the lines cut or scooped out, () and displays at 
once in a bright yellow colour the figures and ornaments designed. Nothing 
further is done unless a finer polish is required, in which case the polishing 
powder before described is used, after the lapse of some days. Sometimes 
a little of the orpiment is mixed with Shan oil and ¢heet-tsee, and a coat of 
it put over the whole ware and wiped off, and the powdered mineral then 
rubbed on. This process seems to be the best, as the hollows and incisions 
of the gravers are more filled upin this manner. The orpiment is powdered 
very fine, and large quantities of it are rubbed on the ware with the fingers. 
Green aésein is put on in the same manner, the colour being previously made 
with the ¢ske-dan, and either the juice from the leaf of a plant called gwe- 
douk-beng, or indigo, ten parts of tshe-dan to one of indigo. I have tried to 
use some English lamp black, Prussian blue, and chrome as this orpiment is 
used, but without success; probably other of our paints, or even these with 
some addition, might be employed in this simple and expeditious style of 
ornamenting wood-work or lacquered-ware with the aid of theet-tsee. The 
Burmese admire much these kinds of engraving, but I think the plain scarlet 
or black surfaces, when polished, look better. The different kinds of japan 
work are always distinguished, if engraved, with the epithet yowon ¢,ho, 
yowon t,ho thamen-tsa out-kyee, yowon t,ho kwon-eet, &c. &c. 
As the best mode of ascertaining the manner in which the ware is manu- 
factured, 1 engaged at different times two parties of Burmese workmen to 
attend at my house, and prepare some cups in my presence, when I had an 
opportunity of daily watching their progress. ‘The first party consisted of 
rather rude workmen, but the second was sent to me by the Burmese 
we ae 
