BASIC INFORMATION

  • Object Name: Cast Bronze Ritual Ladle Cup Section (Thap-Phru Basin Component)
  • Country of Origin: Thailand (Ancient Kingdom of Sukhothai)
  • Production Style/Center: Royal Court / Temple Ritual Bronze Metallurgy Industry
  • Historical Period: Ayutthaya / Sukhothai Period
  • Date: 14th – 15th Century CE (circa 1350–1490)

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION

  • Form: The elegant globular cup or basin section from a monumental ceremonial ladle. It features a rounded lower body transitioning into an upright, slightly collar-rimmed lip. The reverse wall exhibits the authentic ancient attachment scar where the intricately cast handle was originally pinched on both sides and structurally welded to the body core. Accompanied by a custom-cut wood display block.
  • Material: High-status sacred cast bronze alloy compound.
  • Decoration & Style: Features a prominent, raised decorative horizontal belt encircling the shoulder. This collar is intricately cast with a repeating geometric pattern of abstract lotus panels and vertical notch framing, consistent with museum-cataloged ladle sets.
  • Two-Tone Archaeological Patina: Displays a stunning, historically narrative dual-surface condition. One half of the bowl shows a classic buried patina characterized by a dense matte malachite-green base and turquoise azurite powder. The opposing half presents an exposed surface context with a smooth, glossy dark chocolate-brown to gunmetal coloration, showing where a portion of the vessel remained open to air or handling for centuries while the rest was subterranean.

DIMENSIONS

  • Mouth Opening Diameter: 61 mm
  • Height: 50 mm

CONDITION REPORT

  • Overall Condition: Very Good / Highly Stable (Important Archaeological Fragment)
  • Structural Details: The circular cup basin itself is exceptionally well-preserved and completely sound throughout, with a clean un-bent profile and zero modern restorations or touch-ups.
  • Wear & Joint Notes: The long ceremonial handle was lost in antiquity, leaving an incredibly clear, diagnostic structural weld point on the exterior wall. The ancient dual-toned oxidation boundaries are completely stable and provide a beautiful, authentic testament to its unique taphonomic history.

PROVENANCE & CONTEXT

  • Historical Context: Cast during the golden age of the Sukhothai Kingdom, this cup section originates from a highly prestigious ceremonial water ladle used exclusively by high-ranking monks or royal officials during sacred temple libations. Complete matching examples preserved in institutional collections (featuring elaborate openwork cage bulbs and lotus bud finials along the handle lengths) illustrate the elite nature of these vessels. Because of their length, handles frequently snapped at the high-stress weld point under soil pressure. This specific specimen offers an unparalleled educational study of ancient metallurgy and site deposition, marked by its spectacular buried-versus-exposed contrasting patination lines.