An early 20^th century Siamese (Thai) unmarked silver betel set tray, central Thailand or Bangkok circa 1910

Of circular form with flat base raised on four fluted compressed bun feet. The sides with chased decoration of trailing Chinese dragons amidst clouds, chasing the pearl of wisdom, all below a chased border of cotton rosemallow flower (lai phuttan) pattern.

Diameter – 20.7 cm / 9 inches

Weight – 668 grams / 21.48 ozt

Many ethnic Chinese silversmiths worked throughout Thailand in the 19th century and 20th century, previously a vassal state of China until 1853, many of them stamped their work with their names, but their biographical details are largely lost. The Thai-Chinese nobility and merchant class mainly hailed from Canton (Guangdong) and Fujian. Examples of betel sets with diameters between 13 and 23.5 cm are illustraed in Bromberg, P., (2019), Thai SIlver and Nielloware, Bangkok: River Books, p.76-81.