Loading, please wait...
Details
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]
Provenance
Habsburg, 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.
Literature
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.
Footnotes
Gold 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.
CONDITIONVETTING:
TimeLine 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
RELATED LOTS
-
Ca Mau Treasure Shipwreck Glazed Lidded Trinket Box with Bird
Circa 1730 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £46
Squat in profile and discoid in plan with tendril motif to the base and bird among foliage to the lid. 219 grams, 95 mm wide
Ex Sotheby's, Amsterdam, 29-31 January 2007. 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 Ca Mau shipwreck refers to a cargo of Chinese porcelain sunk between 1723 and 1735 off the coast of Vietnam. The wreck was discovered by Vietnamese fishermen in 1998. It is believed the wreck was a merchant’s junk on its way from Canton (Guangzhou) to Batavia when it caught fire and sank. The ship was carrying goods destined for Dutch traders who had limited access to China and its ports. -
Chinese Tang Terracotta Guardian Figure Pair
Tang Dynasty, 618-907 A.D. or laterSold for (Inc. bp): £468
Comprising: a figure with crouching canine body and integral caricature human face open to the rear; similar with grotesque snarling canine head. 4.85 kg total, 24-27.5 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. -
Large Hoi An Cargo Shipwreck Glazed Blue and White Bowl with Bird
15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £124
A shallow bowl with a bird taking flight from a branch, enclosed by trailing tendrils and leaves; petals to the outer face. 811 grams, 24.5 cm
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.
