This teakwood box is covered in black and cinnabar lacquer and decorated with Shan ethnic motifs.

The Shans (or Thai Yai) inhabit the high hill country of central Myanmar, adjacent to Northern Thailand. In fact, they are cousins of the Thais, sharing a common origin in Southern China. The Shan settled first in the north and the groups that would later form the Thai kingdoms of Lan Na, Sukhothai and Ayuttaya settled further south. Only the southern migrants were able to achieve independence.