A Thai silver gilt and niello rectangular box, mid-19th century, the hinged lid and sides finely worked with dense rosemallow flower decoration (lai dok phuttan) within line borders and a foliate motif panel to the top, raised on four ball feet, weight 1144g, length 24.6cm, height 10.4cm, depth 15cm (repair to edges of base panel). Note: the niello technique is believed to have been introduced to Thailand either by the Portuguese or the Persians; traders from both countries had an early presence in the kingdom. Niello work became a speciality of the Southern Siamese (Thai) city of Nakhon Si Thammarat. For similarly decorated boxes, see 'Thai Silver and Nielloware' by Paul Bromberg, Pages 37 and 62.