Fabulous Indonesian Yogya-Silver Plate

Yogyakarta or Kotagede, 1935-1940, marked, (alloy) 800 and maker’s mark PH (Prawirohardjo, act. from 1935)

Diam. 27.2 cm Weight 454 grams

The plate hammered repoussé with flower, leaf and tendril motives shining against a blackened background. Under the influence of Islam, depictions of animal and human figures disappeared almost entirely from Indonesian decorative arts, except for the peacock and snake, Naga. Yogya-silver after 1930 has nevertheless absorbed many diverse artistic influences; the Indo- Javanese style from the Buddhist-Hindu period in Indonesian history, the transitional style between the Hindu and Islamic periods from the time of the Majapahit Kingdom (14th and 15th century) and Chinese and European stylistic influences. The most important European stylistic influences being the Arts and Crafts, Jugendstil, Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles.