Antique early 20th Century exceptional Burmese (Myanmar) solid silver vase, repoussé decorated in high relief with scenes from Burmese mythology, depicting scenes from the Jataka Tales, specifically the Vessantara Jataka. The vase is meticulously repoussé decorated in high relief with a continuous narrative frieze depicting scenes from the Jataka Tales, one of the hundreds of stories recounting the former lives of the Buddha.

This exceptional silver vase is a superb example of Burmese craftsmanship at the height of the country’s Silver Age, a period from approximately 1850 - 1930 that coincided with British colonial expansion, the decline of the Burmese monarchy, and growing cross-cultural patronage. As royal commissions waned, elite silversmiths redirected their artistry to serve a new clientele comprising prosperous Burmese Buddhists, Indian merchants, and European expatriates. The result was a flourishing of decorative silverware, typified by ceremonial pieces such as this one. Silver artefacts were deeply symbolic and served multiple roles in Burmese households. Used to present offerings at monasteries or shrines, they were also objects of spiritual instruction, visual storytelling, and social prestige. In Theravāda Buddhism, karmic merit is generated not only by the act of giving but also by the value of the item given. As such, the vase itself became part of the offering. High-quality examples like this were treasured possessions. In contrast to European silverware, which was typically hallmarked, Burmese silver made for domestic use was seldom signed by the maker. This vase represents a mature phase of the Burmese Silver Age. Its form, decoration, and purpose reflect the unique convergence of artistic excellence, Buddhist devotion, and evolving cultural identities under colonial rule. By the early 20th century, such vases were not only instruments of faith but also objects of historical and artistic legacy. This piece stands as both a sacred vessel and a cultural artifact, elegantly merging technical mastery with moral and spiritual resonance. This item has been published - Burmese Silver Art: Masterpieces Illuminating Buddhist, Hindu and Mythological Stories of Purpose and Wisdom, 2020, p.106, no.S108, fig.3.125. Bonhams, The Noble Silver Collection: Treasures from the Burmese Silver Age, 14 – 24 March 2022, New York

CONDITION:
In Great Condition - Wear expected with age. Please refer to photographs.

SIZE:
Height: 23.5 cm // 9.25 inches
Diameter: 10 cm // 3.94 inches
Weight: 409 grams