A mid-20^th century Cambodian or Thai silver betel box, circa 1950 marked Wen Liang

Of cylindrical form with a pull off gently domed lid. The sides with pierced, embossed and chased panels of decoration of sea life such a rays, shells, fish, crabs, and eels, alternating with panels of birds among flowers, all interspersed with triangular punch work, all between a die rolled tessellated scroll borders. The lid centred with an embossed and pierced Chinese dragon amidst clouds edged with an engraved triangular band. The outer band with animals of the zodiac and others; dragon, dog, goat, ram, rooster, pig, rat, water buffalo, tiger, sheep, Kochasri (mythical Thai creature with head of an elephant and body of a lion), all against pierced and chased foliage with trees, edged with a die rolled tessellated scroll border. The edge of the lid with pierced and embossed trailing flowers. The underside marked with standard mark (1000) 千祥 (QIAN XIANG) and artisan mark 汶良 (WEN LIANG), also an additional mark of intersected lozenges.

Diameter – 14 cm / 5.5 inches

Weight – 453 grams / 14.56 ozt