Silver Repousse Bowl
This silver bowl was made in the ancient technique of repousse, which means “pushed up” in French. By hammering the metal from the reverse side, the artist can create a design in low or bas relief. Often the bas relief tells the story of an important event or occasion. Here, we have the celebration of the United Nations 50th anniversary as it is depicted on the side of the bowl.
The ornamentation includes the traditional Myanmar lion on one side and on the other inscribed is, “We, the People of the United Nations … United for a better world,” which is the preamble from the Charter of the United Nations. Also adorning the bowl are Myanmar floral designs of the Bagan period (11th century CE) and five studded jade stones signifying the 50th Anniversary.
The form of the bowl is based on alms or begging bowls, thabeik, used by Burmese monks. Monks in general did not own any silver bowls because it was forbidden for them to touch silver or gold. Some monks circumvented this prohibition by giving their attendant the silver bowl to carry for them. These bowls have no ceremonial or religious use and are mostly ornamental.
In honor of the United Nations 50th Anniversary, the gift was presented to the United Nations on 10 October 1995 and was accepted by Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali.