A Burmese silver thabeik bowl, late 19th century, the body decorated in high relief with a continuous figural band depicting the churning of the sea of milk, within borders of scrolling foliage, above a band of cobra and flowers below, engraved peacock mark to base, height 18cm, diameter 31cm (some minor faults and misshaping). Note: the decoration on this bowl is inspired by the most famous of the bas-relief scenes at Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia. The churning of the ocean of milk is a mythological scene depicting demons and gods churning up the sea to extract from it the elixir of immortality. The demons hold the head of the serpent Vasuki and the gods hold its tail as they churn up the water in a tug of war, whilst Vasuki coils around Mount Mandala at the centre.