This large black and red vessel is a type of offering vessel known as 'hsun ok'. It comprises several trays that fit on top of each other creating a tiered form. The simple but striking ribbed base was formed by building layers of 'thayo' (literally 'flesh and bones') or a mixture of lacquer and sawdust, clay, or ash over a bamboo structure. The red colour is derived from cinnabar mixed with mercuric sulphide and tung oil, a wood finishing product. Containers such as this functioned as food vessels for the donation of food to the monks. The trays could be used as dishes and the cover as a drinking cup. The base would have held rice, fruit and eggs while the smaller trays would have held curry, condiments, betel and cheroots for smoking.
