Dating back centuries, Asian Art is one of the oldest forms of art currently available.  When you think of art, the first thing that most likely comes to your mind is paintings.  What you may not know, however, is that there are many different types of Asian

Burmese Lacquer Offering Bowl

art like wooden Burmese statues, Buddha statues, copper statues, and lacquerware, to name a few.  Burma, which is now known as Myanmar, has a long standing reputation for crafting unique, quality art work.  The Burmese people, heavily influenced with Buddhism, have produced a number of Burmese statues.  Some lesser known lacquerware that are treasured from Burma are Burmese Manuscripts.  These ornate manuscripts of religious texts, which are still in use today to ordain monks, can be easily identified by their extravagant decoration that gleams with gold and silver.  Sometimes, you will even find a mother-of-pearl inlay.

Moreover, Buddhist art are popular artifacts found in many Asian homes today.  The Buddha statues are often considered sacred artifacts and have been used in assisting with meditation which helps to embody a clear mind and soul. They are generally cast of bronze or brass and are produced by taking a mold from an existing bronze image, then using this mold to fabricate identical forms of the same image. You will sometimes find the images of Buddha in a reclining position, holding symbolic objects or making symbolic gestures.  Nearly all cast-metal reproduction Buddha images are hollow and contain a core, rather than being formed of solid metal.

Additionally, Lacquerware are objects sealed in a lacquer coating to preserve an object.  Like icing on a cake, the lacquer object, when set, can then be decorated.  You will find Burmese and Sukhothai lacquerware like boxes, trays, bowls, plates, cups, and betel nut boxes.  These items are sought after by Asian art collectors and make a fine addition to any contemporary Asian home.  Betel nut boxes, can be found in nearly every traditional Burmese home.  The boxes are cylindrical in shape and woven with bamboo.  Inside the box you find shallow trays for the purpose of holding the essential items for making betel. The betel was probably the first chewing gum and lipstick as it was often chewed by young Burmese women as a beauty aid to redden their lips. Sukhothai Lacquerware are mainly old Burmese objects that have been restored, re-lacquered and decorated with the typical bamboo inlay distinctive of the Sukhothai style. There are only a few families remaining that are still mastering this craft and their uniqueness tends to be a collectors item.

The exceptional quality workmanship and attention to detail on Asian art pieces are nothing short of spectacular.  We are certain that you will treasure these fine works of art for years to come.  You can find many of these works of art in private collections, museums and by shopping an online art gallery.

Wall mirrors are essential accessories for any interior design project. Because they come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors, you can hang wall mirrors in areas where space is limited. Foyers, hallways and bedrooms are perfect locations. Entrance ways are especially popular hanging spots as it gives you a chance to impress your visitors and to set the tone for your home.

Oriental Woodcarved Baluga Mirror

Mirrors are important home decor accessories when considering interior design whether it is for your home or office. You may not realize it, but there are wall mirrors that are considered to be works of art. In fact, one of the earliest creations is the Baluga mirror which continues to be a a treasured piece after all these years. The unique design integrates the colonial and Asian patterns in which no two pieces are identical.

Starting your interior design project with the wall mirror is a simple and straightforward way to give a room a distinctive character. If you want to give a room a contemporary feel, you can choose a large, handcrafted wooden mirror that fits the space of your wall. Then you add furnishings and accessories that match the look and feel of your space. Now that you have an understanding of basic interior design tips let’s get started on your project.

There are different types and styles of wood that are used for wooden mirrors. If you look for wall mirrors made from strong wood material they will give you a lifetime of enjoyment that often gets handed down from one generation to the next. Mirrors made from Mahogany Plantation Timbers, for example, are of phenomenal quality and gorgeous. The dark red-brown colored wood usually has no imperfections and features a very nice sheen when polished. They are especially easy to maintain with minimal dusting and periodic polishing.

There are plenty of design styles to choose from. Wall mirrors come in all shapes and sizes and in a variety of colors and finishes. You can even find very elegant mirrors that are sculpted with unique patterns. There are also textured wood patterns if you are looking for a mirror with a more eclectic profile. Depending upon the type of mirror you choose, they can make a small room look larger, enhance the room’s depth perception and also set the frame of mind of the room that it hangs in.