G719.8 A large painted and gilded wood figure of Popa Medaw Nat

BURMA

19^TH CENTURY

H. 58.5 CM, 23 INS

Popa Medaw Wooden Nat, also referred to as Me Wunna, lady of Popa or Mother of Popa, although not one of the official 37 Nats is an important Nat in the Burmese spirit world. Me Wunna is connected to the Burmese myth of a flower-eating ogress from Mount Popa and is the mother of Min Gyi and Min Lay, also known as the Taungbyone brothers.

Nats are a group of spiritual beings whose worship predates the introduction of Buddhism to Burma, but continue to be worshipped today. The foremost centre of nat worship in Burma is Mount Popa, a well–known landmark near Pagan.

PRIVATE GERMAN COLLECTION

Price: £1,875 [WAS £2,500]