Two round lidded boxes made of high quality silver (English coin silver), from the Thai mountain tribes of Akha or Meo. One large and one smaller box made of silver, hammered, chased and lavishly engraved. Richly decorated:
1: a (mythical?) animal with four legs sits on the lid of the larger box. It is surrounded by stud-like rows of leaves, almost like a flower. Around the centre are eight chased medallions surrounded by representations of different animals (hares, ducks, chickens etc.). Chased medallions can also be found on the side of the box, with representations of animals in-between bands of geometric decoration. On the engraved underside of the box is a striding elephant in a round medallion made up of decorative geometric bands.
Height: 13.5 cm; diameter: 18 cm; weight: 800 grams.
2: in the centre of the lid of the second, smaller silver box sits a chased (mythical?) animal with four legs. It is surrounded by rows of leaves and segments of studs. All-round medallions also adorn the box with representations of animals (birds, fish, crabs etc.), as well as leafy tendrils and decorative bands on the sides of the box. An engraved round medallion with four fish in a square can be seen on the underside of the box. The smaller box has a precisely fitting insert made of chased silver.
Height: 11 cm; diameter: c. 13 cm; weight: 550 grams.
Use: The larger silver box was probably used to preserve and serve food, whilst the smaller one was employed for storing tobacco or utensils used for the chewing of betel nuts. (ME)

Provenance:
Viennese private collection.