Tortoise Shell Metalwork

This 18th century bronze vessel with tripod feet was crafted by hand in a traditional Chinese shape known as "ding," that dates back to 1600 BC. Tripod bowls were originally used for making religious offerings to ancestral gods. This ding is mounted on a finely carved hardwood...

An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Chinese Export Silver goblet; an addition to our wine and drinks related silverware collection This exceptional antique Chinese Export Silver (CES) goblet has a circular bell shaped form, to a shaped stem and plain circular stepped foot. The drinking vessel of this antique silver goblet is embellished with chased iconic Chinese dragon designs accented with stylised flame and cloud decoration, all on a matte background. The decoration to the body incorporates a vacant shield shaped cartouche. The upper rim of this antique Chinese goblet is encompassed with an applied moulded border. The impressive shaped pedestal is realistically modelled in the form of three rooted and swept bamboo stalks, accented with applied leaves in junction with the drinking vessel. The impressive domed circular foot is embellished with further chased decoration replicating the details of the bamboo's terrain and environment. This impressive Chinese silver goblet...

An antique Judaica brass tray inlaid with silver and copper. Round in shape with elevated rims. The piece is richly garnished with complex, stylized Judaica scenes and ornaments. Ori...

A SILVER OFFERING BOWL WITH SCENES FROM THE VIDHURA-PANDITA JATAKA, LOWER BURMA (MYANMAR), DATED 1901. A hammered repoussé Buddhist beggar’s bowl form with high relief  design depicting scenes from the Vidhura-Pandita Jataka on the upper row of cartouches and beneath neat rows of semicircular lappets each depicting various auspicious human and animal forms with scrolling acanthus leaf backgrounds. The overall concept is similar to the layered effect of a Burmese court costume. The circular etched design on the base is of Punnaka astride his magical horse mid-stride holding the white umbrella and Vidhura pleading behind. All surrounded by an inscription, translated as, "Mr Saw Marn's silver bowl. Year 1263 [1901 CE]". Excellent condition. 11 3/4 in. (30 cm) diameter x 5 7/8 in. (15 cm) high. 38 troy oz., 2lbs. 10 oz. (1175 grams). Provenance: The Noble Silver Collection. Bonhams New York, 24 March 2022, The Noble Silver Collection Treasures from the Burmese Silver Age, lot 942. Published: David Owens, Burmese Silver Art: Masterpieces Illuminating Buddhist, Hindu and Mythological Stories of Purpose and Wisdom, 2020, p. 76, no. S81, fig. 3.57. Bonham’s Footnotes: In the Vidhura-Pandita Jataka, the bodhisattva that will later become Gautama Buddha perfects the virtue of truthfulness (sacca), at once a keen perception of the true reality of things and an unwavering commitment to imparting this truth. Reborn as a renowned advisor to a virtuous king, the bodhisattva uses undivided speech throughout the story—even when it puts him in harm's way—thereby preventing disputes among rulers, offering amnesty, and ultimately saving the antagonists who initially conspired to kill him. Burmese Silver Ceremonial Offering Bowls were produced in great numbers, the finely decorated ceremonial offering bowl is the quintessential Burmese silver artwork...

A splendid and heavy Dutch-colonial silver filigree salver Indonesia, Batavia (Jakarta) or possibly Padang, West Sumatra, 2nd half 17th century Diam. 22.9 cm Weight 551 grams This filigree-work was probably done by Chinese masters...

A very finely made antique Indian silver filigree card case presented in its original fitted box dating from the 19th century. The card case is of flat rectangular shape with a simple friction fitting detachable cover which fits snuggly over a shaped overlapping inner edge. The case is made from panels separated by thin silver banding...

An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Indian 900 standard silver hip flask with the original leather case; part of our wine and drinks related silverware collection. This exceptional antique Indian 900 standard silver hip flask has an oval rounded form. The surface of this antique silver hip flask...

An exceptional fine and impressive antique Burmese silver bowl; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection. This exceptional anti...

Antique Thai Silver Buddha, rendered in incised and hammered sheet silver over wood & clay core. The Lord Buddha seated in padmasana with the soles of the...

This is a water ewer used in Tibetan ritual offerings to the "hungry ghosts". They have been reborn so, as a result of greed and avarice and are condemned to wander as spirits with b...

An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Chinese export silver dragon box; an addition to our collection of boxes and cases This fine antique C...

An Indonesian Peranakan mother-of-pearl inlaid mastic sirih casket with silver mounts Jakarta (Batavia), circa 1720-1730, the silver hinges marked for Batavia, maker’s mark HS or SH...