Relevant categories: Tables
At Canonbury Antiques we carry a range of antique Burmese furniture which is characterised by amazingly detailed carvings. Hence it is highly sought after and collectable and very popular with interior designers trying to achieve that Aisan themed colonial look. Of course Burma is now referred to as Myanmar after independence from Britain was achieved in 1948.
The main period of British rule was from 1824 - 1948 and it is from that time that a lot of the antique Burmese furniture was made having been commissioned for the grand houses and palaces of the empire. There were even other names for the cities including Rangoon (now called Yangon) and Mandalay. Of course the local craftsmen were very skilled at carving so Burmese furniture is characterised by amazingly detailed and profuse carvings - technically it's very difficult to achieve and of course a major feat or skill and craftsmansip, not to mention the time it takes. Favoured subjects include leaf and floral motifs, arabesques and vine scrolls. The effect is simply gorgeous and is such a unique look.
Interestingly, author George Orwell (1984, Homage to Catalonia, Animal Farm) wrote a book called 'Burmese Days' detailing the time he served in the Indian Imperial Police for 5 years from 1922 to 1927. He described Mandalay as “it is dusty and intolerable hot and it said to have five main products that begin with P, namely pagodas, pariahs, pigs, priests, and prostitutes.”
Other forms of colonial furniture that are popular include Vietnames (with French influences), Indonesian and items from Goa, India which are very sought after and can command high prices at auction. Much of our Burmese furniture is on dispaly in our Canonbury Antiques Hertfordshire showroom so please get in touch for an appointment. We offer discounts to interior designers, trade and for bulk purchases and have been in business since the 1960s.
We can also ship this Burmese furniture to anywhere in the world so please get in touch for a shipping quote. We have literally shippped to every corner of the planet so just let us know where you are based and we can organise shipment. Alongside colonial furniture, we also carry art deco furniture, English dining furniture, continental antiques, architectural and bronzes, Chinese antiques and porcelain and all manner of quirky interior pieces.
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Francois Linke - cabinet and furniture maker par excellence