Mongolian Eating Set with Fine Silver Mounts Inset with Coral

This fine eating kit comprises a knife, a pair of bone chopsticks and a holder with a belt loop and an attached silver hook. All components are embellished with finely-worked silver mounts. The set is of unusually fine quality and almost certainly was intended for a noble or some other wealthy Mongolian notable.

The knife has a single-edged steel blade, and a handle dressed with ivory panels and with parcel-gilded silver mounts inset with turquoise cabochons.

The holder or sheaf is of wood covered with shagreen and silver. The silver mounts are chased and repoussed in high relief with Sino-Mongolian bat motifs arrayed as if petals around coral cabochons. Elsewhere the bat motifs are arrayed around long-life motifs.

The belt loop is supported by a stylised dragon motif, all in silver. A thick silver chain is attached to this and this leads to a hooked utensil.

The handle of the knife is encased in horn. In turn, this was coated with red wax, but much of this is now worn. Similarly, the upper part of the chopsticks and parts of the shagreen have red wax embellishments.

The blade of the knife has old rust staining. All silver work is of the highest quality.

Similar Mongolian eating sets similarly encased in elaborate silver mounts are illustrated in Tsultem (1987, ill. 62-65).

Gift giving to and among senior officials was, and remains, an important part of Mongolian culture. It is likely that this eating set was a presentation gift in this manner.