JAVANESE TALAM

12-14th century

Talam or “taham” in old Javanese, were an important part of pre Islamic Javanese Hindu/Buddhist religious ritual. They were used as both offering trays and as platforms to place religious objects.

This example is from East Java, it has an attractive verdigris a characteristic developed when metallic objects are buried in the acidic volcanic soil of Java. It is embellished with bands of interlaced lotus flower, possibly suggesting use in Shiva-worship (which was at its highpoint at this period). It is hand raised from a sheet of copper rather than cast.

Provenance:

Old Dutch collection label to the reverse reads: “This is a Talam. Which serves for ritualistic objects to be put on, among others a brahmanic priest bell and a holy water bowl. (Very old) antique.” Purchased in Indonesia on behalf of a private collection in The Hague 1970.

• Directly related examples in the Rijksmuseum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

• 42 cm diameter