3 votive trays

Chinalai Tribal Antiques, Ltd.

These octagonal lacquered raised wood trays, with delicate patterns finely applied in gold leaf and framed in two levels on each of the 8 sides by strips of lacquered light brown wood (bamboo?), were used to present betel nut and its paraphernalia or other offerings to guests and dignitaries in Kampuchea (formerly Cambodia) around the early 20th century. The arched cutouts at the bottoms of every other side of each tray and tiny repeated arches in fine gold leaf are reminiscent of niches that held statues of Buddha, and suggest that trays may also have been used to make votive offerings to Buddhist monks. Two of the trays, with 9-1/2” and 9-1/4” widths (and heights of 4-1/4” and 4” respectively) nest and then stack nicely on the third and largest one with a 9-3/4” width and 4-1/4” height. They can be purchased separately for $345 each or as a group.

$950.00

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