Burmese Silver Bowl
Repoussed Silver Bowl
Burma
circa 1880
diameter: 17.5cm, height: 10cm, weight: 309g
This silver bowl is repoussed with scenes from a Burmese legend. The story seems elaborate and busy – like the bowl itself. The design includes pendant medallions of scrollwork to delineate the separate scenes.
The upper border comprises a scrolling orchid design known as the
dha-zin-gwei motif. The lower border comprises a wide band of spiky petal motifs.
The base is hammered but plain.
The shape of such bowls is based on the monk’s begging bowl, although ironically, Burmese monks are prohibited from touching gold or silver. Accordingly, Burmese silversmiths did not use their skills to produce religious objects, unlike silversmiths in other Buddhist lands such as Tibet or Sri Lanka, and instead were employed producing items for the colonial market and also for wealthy local Burmese.
The bowl is in fine condition.
References
Fraser-Lu, S., Burmese Crafts: Past and Present, Oxford University Press, 1994.
Tilly, H.L.,
The Silverwork of Burma (with Photographs by P. Klier), The Superintendent, Government Printing, 1902.
Tilly, H.L.,
Modern Burmese Silverwork (with Photographs by P. Klier), The Superintendent, Government Printing, 1904.
Provenance
UK art market
Inventory no.: 3798
SOLD