A pair of silver-inlaid steel scissors (takrai) Thailand, 18th Century the blades of foliate form, the ends of the handle terminating in a finial of stupa form, decorated in silver inlay with floral and foliate motifs 28.5 cm. long Footnotes: Scissors such as these were used to cut the hair at the coming of age ceremony (kone-chook) for boys and girls between the ages of seven and thirteen. At the ceremony, portions of hair from the top-knot were ritualistically cut by a Buddhist monk, the parents and other respected elders, and then placed in a floating lotus leaf whilst prayers were said for the child. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com