λ A MOTHER-OF-PEARL AND GLASS-INLAID TWELVE-SIDED LACQUERED PEDESTAL BASIN (THALUM)
Thailand, 19th century

Of typical shape, faceted in twelve sides, with a compressed rounded basin at the top resting on a stepped pedestal, lacquered in black on the exterior and in light-brown on the interior and base, the body inlaid with micromosaic veneering of mother-of-pearl and glass tesserae arranged in three main decorative bands, the top with rectangular panels with geometric motifs alternating with two rows of stylised flower heads, the middle with a continuous band of glass-inlaid diamond-shaped fretwork, the base with a mother-of-pearl-inlaid wave pattern, further decorative bands below and on the rim, 33.5cm diam. and 15.5cm high.

Twelve-sided lacquered ceremonial basins (thalum or talum) such as ours were traditionally used in Thailand near altars with Buddhist devotional images. Their purpose was to hold offerings of fruit, flowers or garlands of flowers and occasionally, they were also used to offer gifts, such as new robes, to a senior monk. The unusual use of glass inlay on our example suggests that the thalum was most probably commissioned for use in a monastery or perhaps in a palace (J. Byachrananda, Thai Mother-of-Pearl Inlay, River Books, 2001, pp. 126-7).

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