A NIELLOED THAI SILVER SAUCER
Thailand, South East Asia, 20th century

Designed in the shape of a leaf of the Peepal tree (also known as Bodhi Tree, ashvattha or ficus religiosa), considered a holy tree in Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism and across the Indian Subcontinent and Indochina, resting on three globular feet, with an everted rim, the nielloed decoration on the interior featuring flowers amidst thick foliage reserved against a black background, the exterior plain, 23.5cm long, 185 grams.