Burmese Teak Bird Lintel

This teakwood lintel from 19th-century Burmese architecture is beautifully carved in relief with alternating patterns of birds, flowers and fruits. An architectural lintel is a horizontal beam placed over doors or windows in traditional Asian architecture. It serves as a support for the structure above and also as a decorative element, often carved with intricate designs and figurative motifs.

This lintel is decorated with feathered hintha birds, Burmese waterfowl and symbols of royalty. The birds are enclosed by square medallions and surrounded by botanical scrollwork of sunflowers and leaves. A border of rounded beads lines the top and bottom. The valance has a raw, unlacquered finish that displays the blonde coloring of teakwood and shows age and wear, including some chips and fading.