PROPERTY FROM THE NOBLE SILVER COLLECTIONA SILVER PICKLED TEA-LEAF SALAD PLATTERLOWER BURMA (MYANMAR), CIRCA 1910 16 7/8 in. (43 cm) high; 15 1/8 in. (38.5 cm) diameter; 67 troy oz (2,089 grams) approximate weight FootnotesWhile Burmese silversmiths also produced services for drinking tea in the manner to which British expatriates were accustomed, this ceremonial platter was made to house Burmese pickled tea-leaf salad (laphet-thoke). Myanmar is one of few countries where tea is consumed as both beverage and food. Historically synonymous with peace offerings, a pickled tea-leaf salad is a traditional delicacy often served to guests during Buddhist ceremonies and secular festivals. Everyday salad platters usually consist of a lacquer bowl subdivided into compartments for different ingredients. Lifting the dome-shaped lid of this rare and exceptional silver centerpiece reveals a circular platform designed for holding one such lacquer receptacle. The platter's overall shape is redolent of a Buddhist stupa and consists of three main components. First, a wide circular tray for the salad bowl rests on three legs of a mythical beast, which is a common motif in Buddhist art for the components of a sacred object that may come into contact with a mundane surface. The tray has a crisp ribbon skirting with scenes of the Vessantara Jataka. Second, a dome-shaped lid showcases finely worked repoussé depictions of further scenes from the jataka within scalloped frames surrounded by ebullient foliage. Lastly, the lid is topped by a tall, pointed spire with lotus petals and umbrellas that resemble distinctive Burmese stupa finials as well as helmets worn by the Konbaung dynasty (1782-1885), the last dynasty to rule Burma (c.f. an illustrated manual of Konbaung ceremonial costumes in the Victoria & Albert Museum [IM.320-1924]). Recounting Gautama Buddha's final incarnation before being reborn as Prince Siddhartha, Vessantara is the most beloved jataka in Myanmar. According to Shaw, in rural areas the story is constantly recited and enacted (through drama, dance, and puppetry) whereas the life of Siddhartha is relatively unknown. It was also among the jatakas that the penultimate king of Burma, Mindon Min (r.1853-78), identified as providing particularly useful models for his courtiers to emulate (Shaw, The Jatakas, 2006 [Introduction]). In the Vessantara Jataka, the bodhisattva perfects the virtue of generosity (dana). This silver service's lid depicts the story's first great act of charity, showing Prince Vessantara giving away his kingdom's highly prized white elephant, which brings rain, to a neighboring kingdom suffering from severe drought and famine. The jataka is therefore a fitting subject for a platter designed to share food with guests. Published: Owens, Burmese Silver Art, pp.50-1 & 192, no.S8, fig.3.15.
PROPERTY FROM THE NOBLE SILVER COLLECTIONA SILVER PICKLED TEA-LEAF SALAD PLATTERLOWER BURMA (MYANMAR), CIRCA 1910 16 7/8 in. (43 cm) high; 15 1/8 in. (38.5 cm) diameter; 67 troy oz (2,089 grams) approximate weight FootnotesWhile Burmese silversmiths also produced services for drinking tea in the manner to which British expatriates were accustomed, this ceremonial platter was made to house Burmese pickled tea-leaf salad (laphet-thoke). Myanmar is one of few countries where tea is consumed as both beverage and food. Historically synonymous with peace offerings, a pickled tea-leaf salad is a traditional delicacy often served to guests during Buddhist ceremonies and secular festivals. Everyday salad platters usually consist of a lacquer bowl subdivided into compartments for different ingredients. Lifting the dome-shaped lid of this rare and exceptional silver centerpiece reveals a circular platform designed for holding one such lacquer receptacle. The platter's overall shape is redolent of a Buddhist stupa and consists of three main components. First, a wide circular tray for the salad bowl rests on three legs of a mythical beast, which is a common motif in Buddhist art for the components of a sacred object that may come into contact with a mundane surface. The tray has a crisp ribbon skirting with scenes of the Vessantara Jataka. Second, a dome-shaped lid showcases finely worked repoussé depictions of further scenes from the jataka within scalloped frames surrounded by ebullient foliage. Lastly, the lid is topped by a tall, pointed spire with lotus petals and umbrellas that resemble distinctive Burmese stupa finials as well as helmets worn by the Konbaung dynasty (1782-1885), the last dynasty to rule Burma (c.f. an illustrated manual of Konbaung ceremonial costumes in the Victoria & Albert Museum [IM.320-1924]). Recounting Gautama Buddha's final incarnation before being reborn as Prince Siddhartha, Vessantara is the most beloved jataka in Myanmar. According to Shaw, in rural areas the story is constantly recited and enacted (through drama, dance, and puppetry) whereas the life of Siddhartha is relatively unknown. It was also among the jatakas that the penultimate king of Burma, Mindon Min (r.1853-78), identified as providing particularly useful models for his courtiers to emulate (Shaw, The Jatakas, 2006 [Introduction]). In the Vessantara Jataka, the bodhisattva perfects the virtue of generosity (dana). This silver service's lid depicts the story's first great act of charity, showing Prince Vessantara giving away his kingdom's highly prized white elephant, which brings rain, to a neighboring kingdom suffering from severe drought and famine. The jataka is therefore a fitting subject for a platter designed to share food with guests. Published: Owens, Burmese Silver Art, pp.50-1 & 192, no.S8, fig.3.15.
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