What to get...

Hi all,

What is the best thing you purchased on your trip to Burma?

I would like to buy one item,just one, for my apartment back in California. I am looking for something truly unique. That is, something that I cannot find back home. I was thinking of purchasing a buddha statue. Any thoughts, suggestions? Many thanks in advance.

What to get...

SD,

Lacquer-ware is good. You%26#39;ll find uniquely designed ones here. Paintings are good too (buddha, etc). Have fun shopping.

What to get...

oneleene,

Seems like you have been before. I am not really looking to buy whatever out there. I want just one piece. Do you have any tips about where I can get the Buddha statue? As I understand it, there are many different kinds of style and material. I want one the is truly unique to Burma.

Many thanks.

Hi SD-

Be VERY careful if you are looking to get any Buddha images from Burma. There are many, many skilled artists there, and if you are less than knowledgeable you might be buying something nice, but not genuine. Now if you do not care about whether or not you are buying an antique, then you will find many, many beautiful Buddha images, especially in and around Mandalay.

Another issue for you: it is currently not legal to bring anything purchased in Myanmar back into the United States. There are some exceptions (for religious worship, health, etc.) but you might have to bend a few rules to bring it back.

There are a couple of decent shops in Yangon to buy genuine Buddha images. I%26#39;m not crazy about bringing antique Buddhas out of the country, but I%26#39;ll get preachy on another post.

By the way, there is some MAGNIFICENT art in Burma now. The scene is concentrated in Yangon. It is very worth your time to do little research, and you can get yourself something really special for a fraction of the price you would pay back here in the US.

Have fun. Shoot over a message if you have any questions.

I agree with the above post, %26amp; not being one to preach either, there is plenty of amazing art here that is totally unique to Burma without taking original pieces out. The craftsmen here are exellent %26amp; would welcome the work. Why don%26#39;t you scan the net for original pieces, print it out %26amp; have a cratfsman here copy it in reclaimed teakwood for a fraction of the price. I%26#39;d gladly send you some contact details of some craftsmen here, then you%26#39;d certainly get something totally original.

Enjoy

I was actually thinking more in terms of paintings.

Paintings here are of exellent standard %26amp; you%26#39;ll have no problem finding them. They are extremely cheap %26amp; you%26#39;ll be able to find all different styles.

I bought a huge painting a few weeks ago, twenty thousand kyat, under $20 %26amp; then got it framed with a beautiful frame for another $20. You%26#39;ll be spoilt for choice.

Hi everyone (esp Tom),

Many thanks to Tom for his insights.

I would not mind buying painting or any other art forms. To be honest, I am very ignorant of Asian arts. Most of my knowledge is that of European. I am using to the internet to see if there is some sort of Burmese art primer.

Considering the effort I put in to bring it home, I like something of good quality. I wish I can tell if something is of good quality. Anyhow, I appreciate all your inputs.

I am wondering if you have a favorite shop or artists?

Again, many thanks.

Better not to go to shops, as you will pay a LOT more than you would pay directly from artists. Do a little online research. There are about 10-15 artists whose work is showing all over the world now, and you can buy from them at VERY significantly reduced prices.

For Buddha images, and I won%26#39;t go into preachy mode, there is a shop in Yangon owned by a Swiss national which is called Art Only. It is NOT inexpensive, but you can use credit cards as they run it through a processor in Singapore.

Again, please inform yourself of US laws and take proper precautions when you are bringing items back. You do not want to have your expensive souvenir confiscated at the border.

PM me if you have questions.

Sorry for your wanted...,

There you can not get real unique antique of Buddha Image,

If you get it that won%26#39;t be real and that is not Buddha image,

so if you want to put the real one of Buddha land that is the first get try smile from your heart and when you get face of ups and downs ..you ready to smile,

that is good unique of antique of Buddha Image..,

if you get real one that is just a statue cause you can not know of Buddha teaching way..and try find what is real fore your Home,

That is you,you are a real importance for your self and family..,

welcome to Buddha land..

I wasn%26#39;t going to preach, but the last poster said it so well. Just a small addition - leave the ancient Buddha images where they belong: in Myanmar.