1880-1920 Shan Sterling Silver Repousse Eastern Burmese Zodiac Thabeik Bowl

This type of repousse bowl is sometimes mistakenly described as a rice bowl, but it is actually more likely an offering or Thabeik bowl or altar bowl. These were originally used by monks as alms bowls, but later became popular decor pieces with visiting foreigners. This particular piece appears to have been produced late 19th c in Burma / Mynamar. A very nice handmade item that has been hammered from a single sheet of silver. The bowl features repousse decorated in high relief depicting different traditional scenes from the Burmese mythology showing detailed figures (Vishnu, Belu and Belooma, Galone, and others) set against a chased background. The lower section of the bowl is decorated with twelve cartouches depicting the Burmese zodiac signs. A large number of Burmese silver artifacts are decorated with the Burmese zodiac designs. The zodiac signs are known in Burma as ya-thi. A tremendous number of hours went into something like this. Would make a great offering bowl, or silver collectible. Unmarked as is common, but solid silver and silver content is guaranteed to be 900 or higher. Condition is exceptional with very little wear, no removals, and minimal scuffs etc. Unlike the vast majority of Burmese bowls, the gauge of silver is heavy, and the bowl is completely watertight opening up its use to all sorts of possibilities. Recently recovered from Midwestern estate.

Weight is 1270 grams.
Dimensions: about 10" diameter across the widest portion and about 6.5" tall.

References:
Wynyard R T Wilkinson, Indian Silver 1858-1947: Decorative Silver from the Indian Sub-Continent and Burma Made by Local Craftsmen in Western Forms, page 36, W Wilkinson & Indar Pashrical Fine Arts, London 1997

Wynyard R T Wilkinson, Mary-Louise Wilkinson and Barbara Harding, Burmese Silver from the Colonial Period, Arts of Asia, May-June 2013


Check out some of my other sterling silver here:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/CrescentCityConnect?section_id=6783258

Or just browse around the shop!
https://www.etsy.com/shop/CrescentCityConnect