Tibetan Mongolian Burlwood Eating Bowl

Silver & Burlwood Eating Bowl

Mongolia or Tibet

19th century

diameter: 11.2cm, height: 5cm, weight: 144g

This fine tea bowl is of burlwood, probably rhododendron burlwood. It has silver mounts chased and engraved in high relief and inset with coral and turquoise cabochons and applied chased copper plaques. The interior is entirely covered with hammered sheet silver.

The foot and lower section of the outside of the bowl is decorated with a silver frieze that includes Himalayan Buddhist symbols in copper accents, to provide a pleasing contrast with the surrounding silver. It is also inset with turquoise and coral cabochons.

The underside of the foot is decorated in pierced silver with an inset roundel that comprises an elaborate and finely executed dragon motif.

The bowl is in very fine condition. Some of the stones are missing. There is no cracking to the burlwood and there are no repairs. The bowl has a very fine patina and obvious age.

References

Sheeks, R., ‘Tibetan and Mongolian tsampa boxes’, Arts of Asia, March-April 1996.

Provenance

UK art market

Inventory no.: 3844

SOLD