A Thai Silver Shrine and a Cigarette Box, 20th Century

近代泰銀佛龕烟盒兩件

The silver shrine lavishly decorated with reticulated floral and foliate motifs, the border enclosed by stylized naga, all surmounted by a seated bodhisattva; a sterling silver box similarly decorated, with wood lining.

Height of shrine 17in., 43.2 cm.

Property from the estate of Rafeeuddin Ahmed, New York, New York.

This lot is located in Philadelphia.

Provenance:

Property from the estate of Rafeeuddin Ahmed, New York, New York.

Mr. Rafeeuddin Ahmed had a long and distinguished diplomatic career, serving with the Pakistan Foreign Service from 1955-1969, and in 1970 embarked on the first of several distinguished roles within the United Nations Secretariat, spanning over 30 years. Between 1955 and 1968, he served at the Embassies of Cairo, Ottawa, and Beijing. Mr. Ahmed was highly respected by colleagues and those who came to know him. He was a valued mentor and a great believer in the power of multilateralism and international cooperation, and, as a tribute from the World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) notes, “…leaving behind a legacy defined not only by institutional achievement, but by humanity, wisdom and grace.”

来源：

纽约市外交家拉菲乌丁·艾哈迈德（Rafeeuddin Ahmed，1932—2026）遗产。

巴基斯坦资深外交家艾哈迈德供职于联合国体系逾三十年，以副秘书长级别工作二十一年，是国际多边外交领域的重要人物之一。

艾氏毕业于巴基斯坦旁遮普大学，后赴美国塔夫茨大学深造，专攻国际经济与国际法。1954年他以政治学讲师身份开启职业生涯，次年加入巴基斯坦外交部，1955至1969年间先后派驻开罗、渥太华及北京等地。

1970年进入联合国秘书处，历任开发计划署高级顾问、经济及社会理事会秘书、秘书长办公厅主任、亚太经济社会委员会执行秘书等职。

艾氏多次受命处理复杂国际事务，参与过东帝汶、柬埔寨、老挝—泰国冲突及缅甸等地区的调停。在1982年福克兰群岛危机和伊朗人质事件中发挥了重要作用。2003年又被任命为伊拉克问题特别顾问。

他在2026年逝世，一生成就卓著，评价极高。本场委托的中国艺术品购自1960年代派驻北京巴基斯坦使馆任内。

A Thai Silver Shrine and a Cigarette Box, 20th Century

近代 泰銀佛龕烟盒兩件

近代泰銀佛龕烟盒兩件