Antique Silver and Gold Inlaid Tea Bowl 13th-14th Century Tibet

Rare antique silver and gold damascened iron ceremonial tea bowl, possibly 13th-14th century, Tibet.

The bowl is deep in form with a flaring rim, it rests on a disc-shaped foot, its external surface is richly inlaid with silver scrollwork and three gold inlaid long-life 'Shu' symbols.

PROVENANCE: In "From the Sacred Realm: Treasures of Tibetan Art from the Newark Museum," Page 116-117, Plate 61, a Tibetan Tsampa container is published that is also made of iron and decorated with the identical silver inlaid pattern as this bowl.

This Tampa container is in the Newark Museum of Art collection, and the museum experts date it to the 13th-14th century.

Please see the link below:

https://www.asianart.com/exhibitions/newark/7.html

We will provide the buyer with photocopies of the pages from the mentioned references together with a certificate of authenticity.

This rare bowl is made of iron that is overlaid with silver and gold. The iron was scored, and the softer silver and gold were hammered onto the bowl.

This type of damascene work was performed in workshops in Chamdo, a center of metalworking in Eastern Tibet.

The silver and gold inlaid technique is known today as damascening, after the city of Damascus, which was renowned for this technique in the Middle Ages.

CONDITION: The bowl is in fine condition with an excellent patina. There is age and use-related wear to the silver and gold inlay.

MEASUREMENTS:

Diameter: 12.5 cm (4.9 inches)

Height: 6.3 cm (2.5 inches)

WEIGHT: 354 grams (0.8 pound).

ORIGIN: UK art market.