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Large Cast Bronze Offering Tray (Talam)
Java, Indonesia
circa 14th century
diameter: 43 cm
Ritual objects or offerings were placed on trays such as this as part of the daily routine of temple worship. Probably used either in Hindu or Buddhist ritual in
pre-Islamic Java, the tray dates from the period when the Javanese Srivijaya-linked kraton or royal court moved from central Java to Eastern Java, possibly
due to some calamitous event such as a volcanic eruption.
This tray of heavy bronze with a flanged rim is decorated with a central lozenge with a stylised petal motif interior. A band of pointed decorations surrounds this
to represent rays of light or energy emanating from the central auspicious emblem. Two more bands of swirling foliate motifs fill the remainder of the tray.
Talams such as this one were cast. Its designs are not engraved or incised but were transferred from the original wax model.
A talam of similar dimension is on display in the British Museum (inventory no. OA 1959.12-16.2)
References: Two similar talams from the Samuel Eilenberg collection are illustrated in Lerner, M., and Kossak, S., The Lotus Transcendent: Indian and
Southeast Asian Art from the Samuel Eilenberg Collection, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1991, pp. 220-1.
Inventory no.: 273
This Item is available - Ask about this item
Large Cast Bronze Offering Tray (Talam)
Java, Indonesia
circa 14th century
diameter: 43 cm
Ritual objects or offerings were placed on trays such as this as part of the daily routine of temple worship. Probably used either in Hindu or Buddhist ritual in
pre-Islamic Java, the tray dates from the period when the Javanese Srivijaya-linked kraton or royal court moved from central Java to Eastern Java, possibly
due to some calamitous event such as a volcanic eruption.
This tray of heavy bronze with a flanged rim is decorated with a central lozenge with a stylised petal motif interior. A band of pointed decorations surrounds this
to represent rays of light or energy emanating from the central auspicious emblem. Two more bands of swirling foliate motifs fill the remainder of the tray.
Talams such as this one were cast. Its designs are not engraved or incised but were transferred from the original wax model.
A talam of similar dimension is on display in the British Museum (inventory no. OA 1959.12-16.2)
References: Two similar talams from the Samuel Eilenberg collection are illustrated in Lerner, M., and Kossak, S., The Lotus Transcendent: Indian and
Southeast Asian Art from the Samuel Eilenberg Collection, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1991, pp. 220-1.
Inventory no.: 273
This Item is available - Ask about this item
