A SILVER OFFERING BOWL WITH SCENES FROM THE BHURIDATTA JATAKAMIDDLE BURMA (MYANMAR), DATED 1928 The underside has a dated inscription, translated, "1290 [1928 CE]. Madam Khin Chai's silver bowl". 4 1/2 in. (11.5 cm) high; 7 7/8 in. (20 cm) diameter; 17 1/2 troy oz (546 grams) approximate weight The Jataka Tales in Burmese Silver Consisting of hundreds of stories about the previous lives of Siddhartha Gautama, the Jataka tales are one of the most popular forms of Buddhist literature, especially among Theravada laity. Their entertaining plots typically involve Gautama Buddha recounting a story from one of his past lives as a human or an animal, demonstrating a particular virtue he gradually perfected on his spiritual progression towards Buddhahood. In deeply Buddhist Burma (Myanmar), where for centuries Theravada Buddhism has been the only form of Buddhism informing local cultures, the jatakas permeate tradition and remain essential elements of contemporary society. Their edifying moral lessons are central to Burmese thinking, and have inspired artistic projects in various mediums for centuries. The jatakas are the mostmon subject depicted by the Burmese silversmiths during the Burmese Silver Age (c.1850-1930), giving rise to intricate vignettes containing poignant didactic instruction for everyday life. Published: David Owens, Burmese Silver Art: Masterpieces Illuminating Buddhist, Hindu and Mythological Stories of Purpose and Wisdom , 2020, p.90, no.S7, fig.3.84.