Toilet stand made of rattan, 19th century, Thailand

Toilet stand made of finely split rattan, intricately woven. Tazza-shaped (saucer-shaped bowl on top of a pedestal) with a smooth rim.

Given by Signor Stefano Cardu

Born in Italy, Stefano Cardu travelled to Siam in the 1870s, where he worked as a draftsman for the Siamese government. Later he established his own architectural practice, named S. Cardu & Co. Building Contractors. He was interested in the culture and history of the region and in the almost thirty years he spent in Bangkok, he formed a crucial collection of oriental art containing objects including objects from India (such as bronzes), China and Japan. On his return to Europe, he deposited his collection with museums like the British Museum and the V&A. He also donated his collection as a gift to the city of Cagliari in Sardinia, where it formed the core of the Stefano Cardu Museum of Siamese Art and is regarded as the most important collection of Siamese art outside Thailand.

Museum Nos. 355-1908 to 364-1908 and 376-1908 to 422-1908 were previously on loan to the Museum from April 1895 to July 1908. [RF 50/1908]

Given by Signor Stefano Cardu. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Museum records (Asia Department registers and/or Central Inventory) as part of a 2023 provenance research project.

Woven basketry made either from split bamboo or fern vine was an integral part of life in 19th century Thailand and continues to be significant today in rural areas. The finest work such as this is made from vines split into three strands and woven after being dried

413-1908