ANTIQUE BURMESE SILVER BETEL BOX, CIRCULAR WITH REMOVABLE TRAY, LATE 19TH CENT.

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ANTIQUE BURMESE SILVER BETEL BOX, CIRCULAR WITH REMOVABLE TRAY, LATE 19TH CENT.:
$936.79

ANTIQUE BURMESE SILVER BETEL BOX, CIRCULARWITH REMOVABLE TRAY, LATE 19THCENT.

This fine antique Burmese silver betel container is of good size and cylindrical shape. Ithas a removablesilvertray which could be used eitheras a surface for preparing the betel quidsor as a serving tray to offer thebetel to other people.The betel chewing habit could be quite simplistic or very complex; it was complicated to prepare themainingredients anda range ofspices were oftenadded foradditionalflavouring.

This pastime became widespread across South East Asia and there wasa great deal of paraphernalia attached to the habitwith containers of various, sizes and shapes andspecialtools to cut the betel nuts. The containerswere made in different materials, wood, lacquer and various metals, according toincome andsocial standing,with only the rich able to affordlargeand beautifully ornamentedsilver containers,such as this one.This container was made in Lower Burma, probably in Rangoon, in the late nineteenth century. To the underside of the base is a finely engraved picture of a hare standing on a grassy knoll and some Burmese script. These pictorial devices were used by the mostly illiterate silver makers to ‘sign’ their work.

The container has been richly ornamented using repousse and chased techniques andis covered by apull off lid.The lid opens to reveal the plain silver removable tray inside.The side of the lidis straight and deep,formingabouta third of the height ofthebox. The top face of the coverhas a lotus flower to the centre, surrounded by a vegetal border. Aroundthis aresix figural roundelsand eachfigure isseparated from the next by a star-shaped open flower. Each roundel contains aportrait of afigure in traditional Burmese costume. The figures are all doing different tasks and have beendepictedin adifferent posture. The rendering isanatomically correct and finely detailed.One roundel shows a figure which appears to be praying,meditatingorpossibly singing, whilst the nextfigureisholding a dagger and seems to be stalkinghis prey- which we cannot see -with great stealthand caution.The side of the lidhas been ornamented with a finely worked scrolling leaf border, withsimple bead borders atthe edges.

The body of the box has also been ornamented with figures andthis deep figural border is the principal border of the container. Each figure has been placed underneath an arch and this device has been used to separate one figure, or one scene, from the next.There are some small background features in each scene, to suggest the setting.Judging by their clothing, the models appearto have been drawn from acrossthe Burmesesocial classes. There aremale figures and female figures;some are finely dressed whilstothers wear only the most basic of coverings. Some are idle and others engaged in a particular task or using a particular tool, someappear to be enjoying their leisure time while others appear to belabouringhard at work.Below the principal border is a repeating cabbage leaf border.

This beautiful silver betel box is a top quality and beautifully ornamented example of the Burmese silver craft which was so admired by European visitors and reached its zenith around 1900.Good examples of fine work in original undamaged condition are becoming very rare and hard to find.

Condition – This is very good andcommensurate with age and careful usage. There are some slight signs of wear and use, which do not detract.

Size – Height11cms; Width13.5cms

Weight –646grammes

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I am always interested in purchasing individual items or entire collections of high-quality silver, particularly antique items from Asia, India and the Middle East. If you are looking to sell, please contact me with details.