Offering Bowl

Artist

Burmese (Burmese)

Date

19th century

Medium

silver

Dimensions

Work : 7 3/8 x 8 1/8 x 8 1/8 in. (18.73 x 20.64 x 20.64 cm)

Credit Line

Gift of David Kamansky and Gerald Wheaton

Object Number

2018.10.28

Label

Buddhism has been the dominant religion in Burma, now called Myanmar, since the 11^th century. This elegantly crafted silver bowl was originally used to hold offerings of food, fruit or cut flowers on the altar of a Burmese Buddhist temple. The form of the bowl evokes a lotus blossom, which represents purity and spiritual transcendence in the Buddhist faith.