Cambodian Silver

^{A mid-20th century Cambodian silver covered dish on stand (Tok), circa 1940}^{Estimate £1,000-£1,500}

In recent years there has been growing interest in Cambodian silver of the 20^th century at our auctions. This topic is still a little poorly understood compared to its important sister art form Thai silverware, which saw a considerable rise in appreciation following the publication: Bromberg, P., (2019), Thai SIlver and Nielloware, Bangkok: River Books. The considerable cross-over and comparisons between much Thai and Cambodian silver has led to many Cambodian pieces masquerading as Thai when they appear on the open market. Currently the only publication dealing with the topic of Cambodian silver is the short text: Vireak, K., (2009) Khmer Silverwares, Reyum Publishing: Phnom Peng.

Much Cambodian silver appears to date to the middle of the 20^th century, although there would be late 19^th and early 20^th century pieces of this silverware type as shown in contemporary photographs in Vireak’s text. An example of a tok dated 1942 was presented by the King of Cambodia Norodom Sihanouk (1922 - 2012) to André Georges Rivoal, the French Governor of Cochinchina (1940 - 1942), when Cambodia was under the French Protectorate until 1953.

TOKS

The most recognisable form of Cambodian silver is the tok or pedestal bowl, covered or uncovered. These vessels which are usually distinctly worked with chased decoration all over of the typical patterns particular to Cambodian and Thai silver, such as Thai lai dok phuttan (cotton rosemallow flower) or water lettuce. They are usually constructed with a tapering finial of circular sections to the lid, as well as an inner liner to the bowl that can all be deconstructed from a central screw thread holding the elements together. Traditionally intended as offering or ceremonial vessels, these mid-20^th century examples were clearly intended as decorative items, and often bear French control marks from their import into France for sale. Typically, these toks have the supports formed as Garuda, an essential deity in Hindu and Buddhist religions as a great winged beast and enemy of serpents. These can range in diameter from as small as 4 inches (10 cm) to 11 inches (28 cm), and perhaps larger.

_{A mid-20th century Cambodian unmarked silver covered bowl on stand (Tok), circa 1940-60}_{Sold for £812 incl. prem}

_{A mid-20th century Cambodian silver dish on stand (Tok), circa 1940 marked MOL}_{Estimate £1,000-£1,500}

_{A mid-20th century Cambodian unmarked silver dish on stand (Tok or Joeṅ Srāb), circa 1960}_{Sold for £1,250 incl. prem}

_{A mid-20th century Cambodian unmarked silver covered bowl on stand (Tok), circa 1940-60}_{Sold for £550 incl. prem}

BOXES

A variety of boxes are to be found from Cambodian silversmiths, each with varying degrees of decoration, typically with the highly detailed and dense chased forms found on the toks. As well as rectangular boxes ranging from small sized examples to much larger cigar sized ones there are also two distinct forms of boxes particular to this country. Firstly, is the mangosteen or ‘pumpkin’ shaped box, often these have alternating bands of detailed decoration with plain or may be found with all over chased work. Secondly are the animal boxes which are perhaps the most endearing and characterful of all Cambodian work, usually small sized although larger examples can be found, elephants and stags are the most common while one can also find frogs, blowfish, birds, and figural depictions. Finally, there are Chinese type boxes, presumably for betel leaves, which may be marked or inscribed in Chinese for the makers, these are often chased or pierced with sea life scenes, with all manner of creatures. Most likely these are ethnically Chinese silversmiths who has settled in Cambodia, much like those in Thailand at the very end of the 19^th century.

_{A large and heavy mid-20th century Cambodian silver casket or cigarette box, presumably Phnom Penh circa 1950}_{Sold for £1,500 incl. prem}

_{A mid-20^th century Cambodian silver box, circa 1950}_{Sold for £300 incl. prem}

_{A mid-20^th century Cambodian silver betel box formed as a recumbent stag, circa 1960}_{Sold for £688 incl. prem}

_{A mid-20^th century Cambodian or Thai silver betel box, circa 1950 marked Wen Liang}_{Sold for £1,125 incl. prem}

VESSELS

The other vessels to be found in Cambodian silversmithing outside of toks, and boxes, include cocktail sets and their trays, water pots, and vases. Each of these provide ample surfaces for either typical Cambodian chased ornament to be applied all over or in select bands. There is a selection of marks to be found on Cambodian silverwares, many of these will read T90/T95/T100, the T standing for the tola, an Indian unit of measurement that is used widely throughout South-East Asia. Other marks, presumably for retailers, noted so far are PAONG, MOL, and DAC. Additionally, some of the later wares are stamped in English or French CAMBODIA or CAMBODGE. In terms of indicating the purity of the metal, there was no official assay office to confirm the purity, although much Cambodian wares appear to be of ample standard as their tola stamps indicate, this is backed up by the examples with French control marks of the weevil used 1893-1984 which demonstrated a minimum fineness of 800 standard.

_{A mid-20^th century Cambodian silver cocktail set, presumably Phnom Penh circa 1950}_{Sold for £1,062 incl. prem}

_{A large mid-20th century Cambodian silver tray, circa 1960}_{Sold for £625 incl. prem}

_{An early 20^th century Cambodian unmarked silver kettle / water pot (Kar Nam Ton), circa 1920}_{Sold for £1,062 incl. prem}

_{A mid-20th century Cambodian silver vase, circa 1960}_{Sold for £250 incl. prem}

THAI MADE SILVER FOR THE CAMBODIAN MARKET

_{An early 20^th century Thai silver gilt niello lime box for the Cambodian market, Bangkok or Nakon Sri Thammarat circa 1930}_{Sold for £500 incl. prem}

This example of a recognisable Cambodian animal box made from the distinctly Thai method of silver gilt niello work, ornamented with flame scrolls.

_{A late 19^th / early 20^th century Chinese Export (Thai or Cambodian) silver casket, circa 1900 by Bao Xing}

A direct depiction of the “The Churning of The Ocean of Milk”, drawn from the 12^th century Khmer rock carving at Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia, chased upon a casket with Garuda feet, that is marked 寶興 (BAO XING) a Chinese silversmith possibly operating in Bangkok, also marked with French swan guarantee mark (used 1893-1970) so was possibly initially intended for Cambodian consumption.