Material: Bronze
Style: Ban Chiang, Thailand
Size: Height 3 cm, Width 2 cm
Order Number: MHSABCF1

Ban Chiang in northeast Thailand was discovered in 1966 and is the most important prehistoric settlement discovered in Southeast Asia. The site was abandoned, perhaps because of climate change, and buried underground for at least 2,000 years. The site was again occupied in the late 18th century by farmers migrating across the nearby Mekong River.

The initial settlement of Ban Chiang took place about 1500 BC with the transition to the Bronze Age about 1000 BC. The site was continuously occupied from 1500 BC until about 900 BC. There were many burials, rich in ceramic and metal grave goods. 

It contains early evidence of settled agrarian occupation in Southeast Asia, wet rice agriculture, domesticated chickens, cattle, and pigs, and pottery.

The site has exceptional and uniquely early evidence of the knowledge of bronze-making with remains of raw materials, production facilities, and bronze tools and ornaments.

The earliest grave was about 2100 BC and the latest was about 200 AD. Bronze making began around 2000 BC. Bronze objects include spearheads, axes, adzes, hooks, blades, bracelets, rings, anklets, wires, rods, and little bells.

The site was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1992.

Map of Ban Chiang.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Ban Chiang Figures appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Silver
Style: Thailand
Size: Height 19 cm (top to bottom), 8 cm (excluding chain), Width 8 cm
Order Number: MHSATMP1

Worn by pre-pubescent children, often with little else, modesty plates were believed to protect the young, who were particularly susceptible to sorcery  and wandering spirits.

They were worn from the time that the child could stand on his or her own, that is about 12 to 16 months, until they were fully dressed.

They were made of silver if the child was royal.

Silver would have been made from silver ingots or silver trade coins melted and hammered.

They were tied around the waist by a chain.

They weighed about 30 – 40 grams.

The first wearing would be accompanied by an important ceremony.   

It is thought that they originated in India, where they were known as araimudi.

They stopped being worn in the early 20th century.

There are Malay examples in Gold Jewellery of the Indonesian Archipelago, Anne Richter and Bruce Carpenter, Editions Didier Millet 2011, page 250 and Malay Silver and Gold, Courtly Splendour from Indonesia, Malayasia, Singapore, Brunei and Thailand, Michael Backman, River Books, 2024, pages 243-246.

19th century or early 20th century.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Thai Modesty Plate appeared first on Murni's in Bali.