Pair Maung Lar Ban Original Burmese Watercolour Paintings c.1930s Signed

Pair Maung Lar Ban Original Burmese Watercolour Paintings c.1930s Signed Burma


An attractive pair of original watercolour paintings by Burmese artist Maung Lar Ban, both signed Lar Ban lower left.


The first depicts a tranquil waterside village scene with traditional thatched dwellings, figures and a small boat, dominated by a beautifully painted flowering tree reflected in the water.


The second shows figures walking beside a lake or river beneath mature trees and palms, with a golden Burmese pagoda rising above the landscape in the distance.


Both are finely executed in Lar Ban’s characteristic atmospheric style, using soft washes and delicate detailing to capture traditional Burmese landscape and everyday life.


These are particularly interesting examples because Lar Ban is represented in important British museum collections. The British Library holds a group of ten watercolours by “Mg [Maung] Lar Ban” dating from around 1936, including House and flowering tree beside a lake, Inle Lake scenes and an entrance to the Shwe Dagon Pagoda. The Horniman Museum also holds a signed Lar Ban watercolour of traditional thatched houses beside water.


About the artist: Maung Lar Ban was a Burmese/Myanmar artist known particularly for watercolours depicting the country’s landscapes, waterways, villages, pagodas and inhabitants. Firm biographical information appears to be scarce, but the British Library catalogues him as “Lar Ban, Maung (fl.1930s)”, providing solid evidence that he was working in Burma during the 1930s.


Both works are presented under glass with wide cream mounts and simple wooden frames. They have a very appealing period decorative appearance.


Frames measure approx 43 x 37.5cm