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Bowl

Bowl

  • Place of origin:

    (made)

  • Date:

    Mid 19th century (made)

  • Materials and Techniques:

    Gold stained with tamarind juice. Chased and embossed. Low relief.

  • Museum number:

    02747(IS)

  • Gallery location:

    South-East Asia, room 47a, case 15

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Burmese silver and goldsmiths were known for this type of delicately chased metalwork before their style became affected by the late 19th century European taste for flamboyant decoration. The staining with tamarind juice to produce a warm red surface is typical of goldwork created at the time. The Burmese symbols for the 12 months of the year are enclosed within bands of decoration.

Physical description

A small water bowl or large cup with a broad band encircling the shoulder of the bowl containing figures representing variants of signs of the year within quatre-foils.
1. Meik-tha (ram); Tagu (April, 1st month of the Burmese year).
2. Peik-tha (bull/wild stag); Kahson (May)
3. Mei-don (loving couple/twins); Nayon (June)
4. Karaka (crab); Wazo (July)
5. Thein (lion); Wagaung (August)
6. Kan (human figure - usually a young woman); Tawthalin (September)
7. Tu (set of scales); Thadingyut (October)
8. Byeik-hsa (scorpion); Tasaung-mon (November)
9. Danu (archer); Nadaw (December)
10. Maka-ra (composite figure); Pya-tho (January)
11. Kon (vase); Tabo-dwe (February)
12. (fish - in this case 3); Tabaung (March)
Narrower bands of foliate scrollwork decorate the neck and lower body of the bowl.
Burmese style prior to European influence.

Place of Origin

(made)

Date

Mid 19th century (made)

Materials and Techniques

Gold stained with tamarind juice. Chased and embossed. Low relief.

Marks and inscriptions

The maker's mark is on the bottom in the form of a peacock in the centre of a lotus blossom

Dimensions

Diameter: 11.5 cm across rim, Diameter: 8.4 cm across base, Height: 9.5 cm

Descriptive line

Burmese chased and embossed water bowl of gold, stained with tamarind juice, Konbaung Dynasty (1752-1885). Decorated with signs of the zodiac.

Production Note

Probably made for the Burmese market or before any European influence.

Materials

Gold; Tamarind juice

Techniques

Chased; Embossed

Collection code

SSEA

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Qr_O10269
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