Page 88 - Bonhams March 22 2022 Indian and Himalayan Art NYC

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A SILVER OFFERING BOWL WITH SCENES FROM THE EARLY Making frequent merit-generating donations to monks, temples, and
LIFE OF PRINCE SIDDHARTHA shrines is a central lay practice in Theravada Buddhism, and bowls
LOWER BURMA (MYANMAR), DATED 1928 created to hold offerings were by far the most frequent function
A dated inscription on the underside of the base, translated: “Madam of silver vessels during the Silver Age (c.1850-c.1930). This bowl,
Ma’s silver bowl. Year 1290 [1928 CE]”. depicting scenes of Prince Siddhartha’s formative years, is a prime
6 3/4 in. (17 cm) high; 13 3/8 in. (34 cm) diameter; example of those produced for an affluent clientele during the Silver
61 troy oz (1,908 grams) approximate weight Age’s final years, before the Great Depression prompted its abrupt
end. Five scenes divided by Burmese rosewood trees are displayed
$10,000 - 15,000 across a panoramic storyboard spanning Siddhartha’s miraculous birth
to the renunciation of his royal inheritance, symbolized by the cutting
of his long hair. Small flowers peppered throughout each scene call to
mind the myriad garlands brought in baskets by the gods and celestial
nymphs (apsaras) in honor of the newborn bodhisattva. The bowl
would have almost certainly acted as a vessel for offering garlands to
temples and shrines.

Published:
Owens, Burmese Silver Art, pp.89 & 124-6, no.S44, fig.4.1.

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