is the elaborate wood-carving of intricate pattern which adorns monasteries and public buildings. Some of the most beautiful examples are at the Queen's Monastery at Mandalay; but the finest are said to be at the Salin Monastery in that town. Carved wooden figures, often grotesque, of bilu (demons) and nats, are also characteristic; and boxes adorned with carvings are common. Ivory-carving of great
Fig. 61. A corner of the palace, Mandalay.
delicacy and of exquisite finish, is produced, mostly at Rangoon and Moulmein.
Lacquer-work. Lovely lacquer ware is made at Pagan, the most famous centre, as well as in the Lower Chindwin, at Laikha in the Southern Shan States, and elsewhere. Lacquer workers are about 7000 in number; of whom some 1500 are at Pagan. Bowls, trays, betel-boxes, tables, and boxes for storing manuscripts, covered with rich pictures
