20th Century Royal Thailand Solid Silver & Niello Frames, Bangkok, circa 1969

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20th Century Royal Thailand Solid Silver & Niello Frames, Bangkok, circa 1969

About the Item

Description Stunning mid-20th century Thailand solid silver & niello pair of Royal presentation photograph frames. Upright rectangular form with curved triangular surmount, each centred with gold and enamel Thai royal crest, one for Bhumibol Adulyadej (King Bhumibol the Great) and the other Sirikit (Queen Mother of Thailand), inside bearing signed and dated 1969 photographs, frame boarders decorated with dense floral ground mounted on a varnished wood back with support. Hallmarked Sterling (925 standard), Maker Thai Nakon (Royal Thai Silversmiths, Bangkok), the farmes come in the original silk lined presentation boxes, with Royal Warrant. Nielloware art and jewellery has always been very popular in Thailand, However, the niello technique does not seem to have originated in Thailand. It is said that it was introduced by the Persians or the Portuguese to Thailand since both countries had an early presence in Siam. This frame is an exceptional example of Thai niello work, such pieces were only made for the Royal house and presented to foreign diplomats as gifts. The tradition of presenting nielloware objects as State gifts goes back to the reign of King Narai of Ayutthaya (1656-1688). Pieces of the finest quality can only be viewed at the Nakhon National Museum and the V&A (The Arts of Thailand) The process of creating niello objects is very complicated and elaborate. Hence, it requires great skill from the craftsman: the object to be decorated, commonly of silver or gold is incised with a traditional Thai pattern. The areas which are to be the background are carved in deep relief and filled with niello which is a black mixture of metallic alloys of lead, copper and silver. Afterwards the niello is fused with the metal of the object by heating. The object is then smoothed by hand with a file and polished. Additional details can also be incised during the filing and polishing process. In the finished article, the silver or gold base of the object stands out and contrasts with the matte black background. CONDITION In Excellent Condition - No Damage. SIZE Height: 32cm Width: 22cm Combined Weight: 1615g

Creator:
Thai Nakon (Maker)
Dimensions:
Height: 12.6 in (32 cm)Width: 8.67 in (22 cm)Depth: 0.6 in (1.5 cm)
Sold As:
Set of 2
Materials and Techniques:
Silver
Place of Origin:
Thailand
Period:
20th Century
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1969
Condition:
In Excellent Condition - No Damage.
Seller Location:
Royal Tunbridge Wells, GB
Reference Number:
Seller: A55541stDibs: LU1348212246443