A THAI GILT NIELLOWARE FOOTED BOWL
Thailand, South East Asia, 19th century

Of circular shape, resting on four bracket feet, with a reinforced rim, the gilt exterior decorated with a grid of diamond-shaped flower heads framed within two geometric fretwork bands, each flower head with subtle engraved lines radiating from the central ring-punched corolla, 20.5cm diam. and 5cm high.

For similar Thai gilt nielloware vessels and their uses, please see P. Bromberg, Thai Silver and Nielloware, 2019, p. 102, cat. 3.47. Bromberg discusses in depth the history and evolution of nielloware in Thailand, hypothesising that the technique was probably imported by the Portuguese during the mid-Ayutthaya period. One of the greatest and most ancient centres of production for this art was located in Nakhon Sri Thammarat. Thus why, niello is often known in Thai as thom Nakhon or Nakhon niello (ibidem, pp. 44 - 46). For further reference, a Thai footed tray worked in the same technique was recently sold successfully in these Rooms, 22 July 2020, lot 193.

Dimensions: 20.5cm diam. and 5cm high