A late 19^th / early 20^th century Chinese Straits unmarked silver betel leaf holder, probably Siamese (Thai) circa 1900

Of tapering elongated octagonal form with moulded rims, the body with finely chased arabesque panels of flowering prunus trees attended to by birds with a pagoda in the background, the opposing side with a similar scene with chrysanthemum, each interspaced with panels of stylised dragons. The upper and lower section with a chased band of a flowering lotus with foliate scrolls, the underside with a flat chased section of two intersecting lozenges with pierced centre. Together with another betel lid holder, circa 1940, tapering form with embossed decoration of figures and birds with flowering prunus, the obverse with fruiting vine. The underside with an artisan mark. (2)

Tallest – 11 cm / 4.45 inches

Weight – 186 grams / 5.98 ozt

Many ethnic Chinese silversmiths worked throughout Thailand in the 19th century and 20th century, previously a vassal state of China until 1853, many of them stamped their work wtih their names, but their biographical details are largely lost. The Thai-Chinese nobility and merchant class mainly hailed from Canton (Guangdong) and Fujian.