Title
Ritual water bottle
Year/Period
Early 20th century
Region
Thailand
Object Type
Material
Technique
Dimension
Object size: 36 x 22.8 x 22.8 cm
Accession No.
2014-00221
Collection of
This elegant bottle has an unusual design of insects amongst rice stalks rendered in repousse work, beaten into the sheet silver. The bulbous form with stupa-like finial and symbolic motifs of abundance and wealth, are fitting for what is likely a ritual water bottle. The maker's mark 'Nam Heng' (南興) appears twice on the base. This reference to the southern region (Nanyang) or Southeast Asia, is typical of wares made by Chinese metalsmiths based in the region. Vessels made in sheet silver and gold were likely made by Chinese artists in Thailand for the aristocracy and other wealthy clientele during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
