Page 101 - Bonhams March 22 2022 Indian and Himalayan Art NYC

344
A SILVER OFFERING BOWL WITH SCENES FROM THE As Shaw notes, the Sama Jataka "is beloved throughout Southeast
SAMA JATAKA Asia for its portrayal of loving kindness (maitri)... This quality is imbued
LOWER BURMA (MYANMAR), CIRCA 1925 with a magical power beyond even that of the higher knowledges
The underside has an inscription, translated "Mr Hla Taung's silver (abhinnas) in Buddhism. It apparently achieves the impossible: the
bowl". revival of the dead" (Shaw, The Jatakas, 2006, p.275).
6 1/2 in. (16.5 cm) high; 12 5/8 in. (32 cm) diameter;
48 troy oz (1,497 grams) approximate weight Embellished with fine, lace-like details, this offering bowl features
multiple layers of decorative motifs, including bands of lotus buds,
$18,000 - 22,000 deer, scrolling acanthus, and geometric patterns. The tallest, central
band depicts ten key scenes from the Sama Jataka. The refined
miniature scale of each figure adds a Fabergé-like feel to the bowl.
Each scene is divided by a pair of intertwined serpents (naga) framing
the bust of a celestial devotee, clearly inspired by thepanom figures
in contemporaneous Thai Bencharong porcelain (see for instance Art
Institute of Chicago, 1923.575).

Published:
Owens, Burmese S ilver Art, p.89, no.S127, fig.3.81.

INDIAN, HIMALAYAN & SOUTHEAST ASIAN ART | 99