Burmese Silver Art: Masterpieces Illuminating Buddhist, Hindu and Mythological Stories of Purpose and Wisdom

From the mid-19th to the early 20th centuries, Burmese master silversmiths created a magnificent body of work known as the Burmese Silver Age. This aesthetic and functional work is characterized by a unique decorative style and superb technical artistry, often embellished with mysterious visual narratives drawn from ancient religious and mythological sources. This book presents 100 Burmese silver artefacts from the Noble Silver Collection, providing a comprehensive overview of this obscure genre of silver art. It includes two informative chapters that explore the history and cultural tradition of Burmese silverwork and decipher the complex iconography of the decoration. Burmese Silver Art is a definitive reference work for art historians, collectors, experts, students, and general readers interested in this hitherto-overlooked body of noble art.

Format: Hardback
Length: 216 pages
Publication date: 30 September 2020
Publisher: Marshall Cavendish International (Asia) Pte Ltd

From the mid-19th to the early 20th centuries, a remarkable body of work was created by Burmese master silversmiths, marking the Burmese Silver Age. This exceptional aesthetic and functional art is distinguished by a unique decorative style and exceptional technical artistry. Many of the artifacts are adorned with enigmatic visual narratives inspired by ancient religious and mythical sources, conveying spiritual beliefs and values that continue to resonate today.

Burmese silverwork is a distinct and relatively unknown genre within the realm of silver art. This book aims to shed light on this obscurity by presenting a stunning photographic gallery showcasing 100 Burmese silver artifacts from the Noble Silver Collection. These silverworks, dating back to the Burmese Silver Age, represent some of the rarest and finest examples of this art form.

The centerpiece of this book is a gallery of magnificent silverwork masterpieces, accompanied by two well-illustrated and informative chapters. The first chapter provides a comprehensive overview of Burmese silverwork's 2,000-year history and cultural tradition, serving as a robust foundation for readers. The second chapter delves into the intricate and allegorical iconography of the decoration, offering deeper insights into its religious and cultural significance and origin.

Through its captivating presentation, Burmese Silver Art captures the extraordinary allure of Burmese silverwork. It showcases the sublime artistry of the decoration, the exceptional skill of the silversmiths, and the profound meaning and importance of the visual narratives. By establishing itself as a definitive reference work for art historians, collectors, experts, students, and general readers interested in this hitherto overlooked body of noble art, this book contributes significantly to our understanding and appreciation of Burmese silverwork.

Weight: 1552g
Dimension: 238 x 306 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789814868884