Description AN EXTREMELY RARE CHAM GOLD BETEL NUT CONTAINER WITH REPOUSSé TIGER MARK, EX-COLLECTION BAO DAI
Champa, 10th-15th century. The betel holder of cylindrical shape tapering upwards to a stepped conical finial. The slightly recessed circular base executed in fine repoussé showing a tiger, indicating this piece was crafted by a Chamking’s personal goldsmith or workshop. This fine gold betel nut container was likely once a gift to a Vietnamese emperor from a Cham king.
Provenance: Ex-collection of Bao Dai, last emperor of the Nguyen dynasty (a letter of provenance signed by Dr. Zelnik will be handed out to the winning bidder upon request). Ex-Collection of The Zelnik István Southeast Asian Gold Museum, acquired from the above. Institutional art collection in Belgium, acquired from the above.
Condition: Very good condition with minor traces of age and wear, some soil encrustations, as well as white betel residue to the interior.
Weight: 44.4 g
Dimensions: Height 9.5 cm
Published: The Zelnik Istvan Southeast Asian Gold Museum, page 195, Budapest 2013.
Alloy composition range: Gold 64-72 %, Silver 24-28 %, Copper 2-4 %.
Literature comparison: A very similiar gold betel nut container is published in Art of Champa, Arts of Southeast Asia, page 47, Issue 4, 2020.