Burmese silver bowl, Buddhist Jataka figural scenes, mid 19th century

33cm wide, 17cm high

From a collection of similar Mynmar silverware put together by an Australian last century.The inscription is in an old script, and difficult for modern Burmese to read. I do have the following insight from a Mynmar national:"Looks like the inscription was about a winning cup/or a prize during new year time for a lady whose name is Ma San Mya. She owns a horse.The first line reads the direct translation of the sound "secunia" to Burmese. I couldn't find word. It could be a place or the name of event or a game.The second line reads for the Winning Cup during New Year. (so I presumed it must have be a sort of game or something)- the second line also has the name of the game- Griffin Cup.The third line reads as the owner of Horse, Ma San Mya. (so. I concluded that the game must something to do with a horse)." In the mid 19th century, the 'Griffon' horses were young horses purchased as mounts for the British Army, many from Australia, and taken to 'India' (which included modern day Myama/Burma). Races of these fresh mounts would define the superior horses, and it seems this bowl may have been a prize at one such race, some time circa 1850-70.