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Myanmar Travelogue 1993
#3/5
Antiques of Yangon
Travelling along the “teak log filled road”
We head back to the old National Highway No. 1, which is 700 km from Mandalay to Yangon. In 1993, there were no expressway. On the one-lane road, we had to overtake trucks loaded with as many teak logs as they could carry, as shown in the photo below. It was a very dangerous journey. These huge loads of timber were heading to the Yangon auction market to earn foreign currency.
Photo by author, 1993
Photo by author, 1993
Photo by author, 1993
Antiques in Yangon
Myanmar is a treasure trove of gemstones such as rubies, star sapphires, and jade. It is also a treasure trove of antiques. If you buy them at the black market exchange rate, they are very cheap, but there are strict regulations to take it abroad, and you have to submit a certificate at the airport that you bought it at the official price.
Photo by author, 1993
Photo by author, 1993
Photo by author, 1993
Young women painstakingly working on traditional embroidery.
Photo by author, 1993
Photo by author, 1993
Thread spinning wheel
Photo by author, 1993
Photo by author, 1993
Photo by author, 1993
Photo by author, 1993
Photo by author, 1993
Photo by author, 1993
Instrument stand make of teak.
Photo by author, 1993
Wheels make of Teak wood.
Photo by author, 1993
Bedhead make of teak wood.
Photo by author, 1993
Teak
Teak wood has an oil component, and the material is hard, tough, durable, and resistant to termites and other pests.
When dried well, the expansion and contraction ratio is small, making it suitable for furniture.
Since it is resistant to water, it is widely used as a marine material and construction material.
Teak wood cut from natural old wood is particularly durable.
Although prices in the international market are very expensive, paying in the local currency kyat, is incredibly cheap domestically.
Teak wood framework
Photo by author, 1993
Photo by author, 1993
Photo by author, 1993
