Burmese Silver Bowl from Coombes Company of Rangoon

This fine silver bowl has been repoussed with narrative scenes drawn from the previous lives of the Buddha, possibly the Mahajanaka Jataka.

The upper border features in high-relief, a scrolling orchid motif (dha-zin-gwei). The lower border comprises a particularly intricate interlocking leaf motif.

One of the attractions of this bowl is that it was retailed by the Rangoon retailer Coombes, and so it tells part of the story of the colonial curios market in Rangoon at the time.

The underside is engraved with ‘Coombes Company Ltd / Silversmiths / Rangoon.’

Coombes  Company was an important retailer of upmarket silver, curios, carved ivory and rubies in colonial Rangoon and was located at 12 Phayre Street. Now called Pansodan Street, it lead directly to the famous Strand Hotel. Strictly, the company were not silversmiths as such but did sell silver that most probably was produced for the firm by independent Burmese silversmiths.

Such bowls are based on the plain, black lacquer alms bowls used by Burmese monks. These bowls are one of the eight parikkharas or possessions allowed a monk. In turn, such bowls are based on a bowl that the Buddha himself is said to have used. But silver bowls such as the example here had no ceremonial or religious use; they are purely decorative.

The bowl is in fine condition. There are the usual ‘pinprick’ holes seen in such repoussed work but none are visible from the bowl’s exterior. The interior has green oxidation. Overall, an excellent bowl with historical interest.