Context (CMS Context)
Artefact collected by John Clarke, through the generosity of the Crowther-Beynon Fund; Collected by: Clarke.John in 1987: Tea cup and cover of beaten silver, stand of brass. Made by Tsewang Gurmed the youngest of the three most skilled craftsmen at 31. Tea cup called ' sol kha' (honorific usage), cover ' dul chod' (honorific usage), saucer/stand ' sol tak' (honorific usage). The honorific forms are used with appropriately respectful gestures when important guests are visiting, eg a high lama. The lid bears four flower designs and the typically Tibetan running key or scroll pattern chased around its edge and rim. The bowl itself bears more of the same design together with flowers and birds also as chased ornament. Lotus petals radiate from the footrim. The brass stand/saucer bears four Chinese symbols often found on Tibetan metalwork and especially on teacups. These are: the quiver, pencase, pair of scrolls and knife
Event Date 14/3/1988
Author: maa

Description (CMS Description)
Saucer stand in the shape of a lotus flower/water-lily of brass with copper band around base. The " petals" of the stand alternate with flower and leaf design with the Chinese symbols of a quiver, pencase, pair of scrolls and a knife; Good; Whole; Quiver; Pencase; Scroll; Knife; Flower; Leaf
Event Date 14/3/1988
Author: maa