Loading, please wait...
LOT 0392
Northern Thai Gold Dragon-Headed Bracelets with Rubies and Sapphires
18TH CENTURY A.D.
2 1/2 in. (24.18 grams total, 64-65mm).
A matched pair of penannular bracelets, each formed in tightly-bound plaited gold wire with terminals formed as the crested heads of makara, their eyes set with rubies; mounted in a lined presentation case. [2]
ProvenanceHabsburg, Feldman, GOLD, Important Ancient and Ethnic Jewellery and Works of Art in Precious Metal, Hotel des Bergues, Geneva, 14 May 1990, no.105, 111.
Acquired by the current owner from the above sale.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12800-241416.
This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Cf. for the ancient prototypes of such bracelets Demandt, M.H.S., ‘Early Gold Ornaments of Southeast Asia: Production, Trade and Consumption’ in Asian Perspectives, Vol. 54, No. 2, 2016, pp.305-330, fig.8.
FootnotesGold jewellery in northern Thailand holds both aesthetic and cultural significance, deeply rooted in regional identity, status, and spiritual belief. Traditionally crafted by skilled artisans, such pieces were not only symbols of wealth and social standing but also believed to offer protection and merit. In Lanna culture (the historic kingdom of northern Thailand), gold was closely associated with religious offerings, marriage rituals, and rites of passage, often passed down through generations as cherished heirlooms. The intricate designs—frequently featuring floral and mythical motifs—reflect both indigenous styles and broader Southeast Asian influences, underscoring gold’s enduring role in both personal adornment and communal heritage.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
LOT 0392
Northern Thai Gold Dragon-Headed Bracelets with Rubies and Sapphires
Sold for (Inc. bp): £7,800
-
Tek Sing Treasure Shipwreck Glazed Blue and White Bowl
Early 19th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £39
Tin-glazed bowl with everted rim and basal ring. central spiral with radiating foliage motifs to both faces. 360 grams, 16 cm
Ex Nagel Auction, with official Tek Sing Treasure labels to verso. From the private collection of an Essex gentleman since the late 1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
The Tek Sing (True Star) wreck is one of the famous recovery stories of the 20th century. Sailing from the port of Xiamen (then known as Amoy) in February 1822 the vessel Tek Sing was bound for Jakarta, Indonesia laden with porcelain goods and 1600 Chinese emigrants. The captain decided to pass through the Gaspar Strait, between the Bangka-Belitung Islands, and ran aground on a reef. The vessel sank in about 100 feet of water. The next morning, February 7, an English East Indiaman captained by James Pearl, passing through the same waters, encountered debris and some survivors and managed to rescue about 190 of the latter. -
Hoi An Cargo Shipwreck Glazed Blue and White Lidded Box Collection
15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
Comprising three powder boxes, two with painted floral motifs and decorative panels, one with a landscape to the lid. 283 grams total, 59-62 mm
Ex Butterfield and Butterfield auction with official Hoi An Hoard labels. Accompanied by an illustrated information sheet about the Hoi An shipwreck. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
In the mid 15th century a freighting junk loaded with fine Vietnamese pottery sank in an area of the South China Sea called the 'Dragon’s Embrace.' This vessel is part of the shipwreck cargo recovered off the coast of Vietnam at Hoi An. The ceramics themselves were probably made in the area of Chu Dau. -
Chinese Tang Terracotta Guardian
Tang Dynasty, 618-907 A.D. or laterSold for (Inc. bp): £520
Modelled in the round fully armoured soldier wearing a breastplate, armguards, pauldrons and helmet with prominent crest; the armour worn over a coat, closed by a belt, with tight-fitting trousers; both hands held forwards; both feet resting on a dog; traces of pigment to face and helmet. 3.45 kg, 51.5 cm
Previously from a Hong Kong collection. Ex property of a London, UK, gentleman. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
