The Zodiac Bowl is one of the earliest known examples of silver of this type from Thailand. The zodiac has been used for hundreds of years by astronomers around the world to describe the positions, motions and properties of celestial objects. These observations and calculations were sometimes also used by astrologers to make predictions or produce explanations from the motions of the stars and planets.
This silver bowl shows the signs of the zodiac on its twelve sides, representing the 12 solar months of the year. South and South-East Asia use the same zodiac symbols as European astronomical traditions, although they have different names in Sanskrit and other Asian languages.
Check out the link below to read more about Thai zodiac in a fantastic article from the British Library.
Credit: Courtesy of the University of St Andrews Libraries and Museums
Where you'll find this
Deepen your knowledge
Essential St Andrews