A late 20^th century Thai silver and niello cigarette box, Bangkok circa 1975 by Thai Nakom (est. 1932)

Of rectangular form with rounded corners, the hinged lid with niello decoration of a theppanom figure within a shaped cartouche reserved with flame scrolls. The faux wooden interior with an applied plaque with a presentation inscription reading “in memory of John W Davies, senior fellow in law, BNC Oxford, from a Thai Pupil”. Stamped underneath THAI NAKOM, STERLING, THAILAND.

Length – 12 cm / 4.7 inches

John Windsor Davies (1934-2020) in 1963 was appointed to a lectureship at the University of Birmingham, but later returned to Oxford to take up an Official Fellowship in Law at Brasenose College from 1966, which he held until his retirement in 2001.