Enquiry about object: 6372
Early Thai Bronze Taza or Betel Tray
Tenasserim region, Thailand/Burma circa 14th-15th century
diameter: 17cm, height: 9.8cm, weight: 380g
Provenance
private collection, London. Collected in Burma, in Tenasserim in 1933, by Maurice Collis (1889-1973). Collins entered the Indian Civil Service in 1911 & was posted to Burma in 1912. His postings included Sagaing & Arakan. He served as a district magistrate in Rangoon (1929-1930) and thereafter as Excise Commissioner. He returned to England in 1934 and wrote many books including on Burma.
This early pedestal tray or taza probably was used to serve betel. It could also have been used to rest a conch shell trumpet used during rituals. It is of cast bronze and has a domed, tiered foot, and a tray with a pleasing, pierced rim.
According to a label dated 1933 attached to another item from the same group, it was found, presumably excavated in Tenasserim, an area which runs along the southern border between Burma and Thailand. The label states that the pieces are ‘Siamese’ and are from the Ayutthaya ‘dynasty’.
The taza has a fine, encrusted, varying green-grey patina and is in very fine condition.
References
Somkiart Lopetcharat, Lopburi and Thavaravadi Sculptures in Thailand, Siam International Book Company, 2015.
