{"id":8450357428374,"title":"A fine example of Sri Lankan (Ceylon) silver production, this monumental tray (c. 1900)","handle":"a-fine-example-of-sri-lankan-ceylon-silver-production-this-monumental-tray-c-1900","description":"\u003cp\u003eA fine example of Sri Lankan (Ceylon) silver production, this monumental tray (c. 1900) is\u003cbr\u003edecorated with intricate floral designs, beasts and birds; four lions circle a central design which emulates a flower while the swirling leaf pattern motifs surround elephants and various birds. Particularly notable are the representations of Gandabherunda (or bherunda), a two-headed bird. As a two headed eagle is pervasive in many cultures, scholars have offered variousoptions for this symbol’s origin (such as Hittite sculptures). Through the early Middle Ages to the 17th century,\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eit was a popular motif of Indian dynasties. Gandabherunda is a mythical bird which is considered so powerful that it could lift Elephants with its talons and beak alone. In the Mahabharata an eagle (Garuda) catches an elephant and tortoise in its talons and the word Garuda is also associated with Vishnu. The Sanskrit word bherunda can be translated  as terrific, frightful, terrible while Ganda implies hero or warrior. Therefore, the use of this motif in Hindu culture has long been associated with kings and rulers.\u003cbr\u003e1 The designs on the tray are characteristic of common Sri Lankan decorative motifs.\u003cbr\u003e2 Multi-petal flowers, intricate floral patterns and animals are often seen on Sri Lankan artefacts of the early 20th century.\u003cbr\u003e3 The designs have been skillfully executed, with this monumental tray perfectly\u003cbr\u003eexemplifying early 20th century Sri Lankan silver production and the Sri Lankan taste for\u003cbr\u003esymbolic anthropomorphic imagery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMeasurements:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWidth: 70cm \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeight: 3,857 grams \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2025-07-18T12:49:51+01:00","created_at":"2025-07-18T12:49:50+01:00","vendor":"Joseph Cohen Antiques","type":"A fine example of Sri Lankan (Ceylon) silver production, this monumental tray (c. 1900)","tags":["Sri Lankan Silver"],"price":850000,"price_min":850000,"price_max":850000,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":45208041455766,"title":"Default Title","option1":"Default Title","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"JC-AFI-07204","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":true,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"A fine example of Sri Lankan (Ceylon) silver production, this monumental tray (c. 1900)","public_title":null,"options":["Default Title"],"price":850000,"weight":0,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/PHOTO-2025-07-18-12-03-05.jpg?v=1752838878","\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/thumbnail_PHOTO-2025-07-18-12-03-05_1.jpg?v=1752838850","\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/thumbnail_PHOTO-2025-07-18-12-03-05.jpg?v=1752838867","\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/thumbnail_PHOTO-2025-07-18-12-03-06.jpg?v=1752838890"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/PHOTO-2025-07-18-12-03-05.jpg?v=1752838878","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":30624407388310,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":1462,"width":1462,"src":"\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/PHOTO-2025-07-18-12-03-05.jpg?v=1752838878"},"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":1462,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/PHOTO-2025-07-18-12-03-05.jpg?v=1752838878","width":1462},{"alt":null,"id":30624406470806,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":640,"width":640,"src":"\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/thumbnail_PHOTO-2025-07-18-12-03-05_1.jpg?v=1752838850"},"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":640,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/thumbnail_PHOTO-2025-07-18-12-03-05_1.jpg?v=1752838850","width":640},{"alt":null,"id":30624406831254,"position":3,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.022,"height":626,"width":640,"src":"\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/thumbnail_PHOTO-2025-07-18-12-03-05.jpg?v=1752838867"},"aspect_ratio":1.022,"height":626,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/thumbnail_PHOTO-2025-07-18-12-03-05.jpg?v=1752838867","width":640},{"alt":null,"id":30624407617686,"position":4,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":640,"width":640,"src":"\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/thumbnail_PHOTO-2025-07-18-12-03-06.jpg?v=1752838890"},"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":640,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/thumbnail_PHOTO-2025-07-18-12-03-06.jpg?v=1752838890","width":640}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eA fine example of Sri Lankan (Ceylon) silver production, this monumental tray (c. 1900) is\u003cbr\u003edecorated with intricate floral designs, beasts and birds; four lions circle a central design which emulates a flower while the swirling leaf pattern motifs surround elephants and various birds. Particularly notable are the representations of Gandabherunda (or bherunda), a two-headed bird. As a two headed eagle is pervasive in many cultures, scholars have offered variousoptions for this symbol’s origin (such as Hittite sculptures). Through the early Middle Ages to the 17th century,\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eit was a popular motif of Indian dynasties. Gandabherunda is a mythical bird which is considered so powerful that it could lift Elephants with its talons and beak alone. In the Mahabharata an eagle (Garuda) catches an elephant and tortoise in its talons and the word Garuda is also associated with Vishnu. The Sanskrit word bherunda can be translated  as terrific, frightful, terrible while Ganda implies hero or warrior. Therefore, the use of this motif in Hindu culture has long been associated with kings and rulers.\u003cbr\u003e1 The designs on the tray are characteristic of common Sri Lankan decorative motifs.\u003cbr\u003e2 Multi-petal flowers, intricate floral patterns and animals are often seen on Sri Lankan artefacts of the early 20th century.\u003cbr\u003e3 The designs have been skillfully executed, with this monumental tray perfectly\u003cbr\u003eexemplifying early 20th century Sri Lankan silver production and the Sri Lankan taste for\u003cbr\u003esymbolic anthropomorphic imagery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMeasurements:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWidth: 70cm \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeight: 3,857 grams \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e"}