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Lotus-shaped bowl

Place of Origin
  • Cambodia or Thailand
Date1230-1231
MaterialsGold and silver alloy
DimensionsH. 4 in x Diam. 8 1/4 in, H. 10.2 cm x Diam. 21.0 cm
Credit LineGift of the Connoisseurs' Council
Object number1990.201
ClassificationsMetal Arts
On View
On view
LocationGallery 9
Inscribed1152 śaka vraḥ jaṃnvana vraḥ pāda kamrateṅa ’aña śri tribhuvanādityavarmmadeva vraḥ sruka śri tribhuvanādityapura ta kamrateṅa jagata (t)riṇayati sarvvadāta (reading by Dominique Soutif. See paper file.)
More Information

This bowl raises intriguing questions.

An inscription in ancient Cambodian engraved on the exterior indicates that the bowl was a gift of a king called Shri Tribhuvanadityavarman, probably to an image of a deity. A date equivalent to 1230–1231 is given, but there is no other record of a king with this name in this period. Perhaps he ruled a small, and as yet unidentified, realm that did not last long.

The bowl is in the form of a lotus with eight petals. Adorning the bottom of the interior of the bowl is a lotusshaped rosette surrounded by eight smaller rosettes.