The King of Siam's Dinner Service

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dognose
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The King of Siam's Dinner Service

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The King of Siam's Dinner Service

A superb service of silver plate, of the total value $50,000, and weighing 15,000 ounces, has just been manufactured by the eminent firm of Messrs. Elkington & Co., Birmingham, England, and which exemplifies, in a high degree, the great perfection in taste, design, and workmanship to which the art of the silversmith is carried. It is a state dinner service, made to order for the King of Siam, and is, in every respect, well fitted to grace a royal table. It is, of course. solid silver throughout, and consists of a large number of pieces, being intended to dine about sixty persons in state. Conspicuous among the others is the principal centerpiece, a splendid and massive piece of workmanship. It is nearly four feet high, and the design is that of a threeheaded elephant–a symbol of the Siamese religion–standing upon a plateau, and bearing on its back a castle, above which is a double vase with a tower-shaped stem. The trapping's of the elephant are of delicate gold work, and gold tassels depend from the ears. Though the idea of gracefulness, in conjunction with a three-headed monster, might seem rather difficult to conceive, the heads are so arranged as to detract in no degree from the appearance of the figure. Standing in front, just under the heads, are two keepers in martial attire, each with a long staff, from the top of which projects the national flag of Siam. This piece, which weighs 700 ounces, bears in three places the coat of arms of the King, in high relief and richly molded and chased. There are fourteen other centerpieces of smaller size, but all of the same design as the principal one. Six four-light candelabra, of palm tree design, with a three-headed elephant standing under each, will help to illumine the royal banquet whenever the service is used ; and among the other pieces which compose the set are six wine coolers, six large hot water dishes and covers, six rice dishes, six oval entrie dishes, twelve bread baskets, eight sauce tureens, six cruet frames, four large oval trays 28 Inches long, and four salvers of smaller size, and about 150 dozen of spoons and forks.

The design is Oriental, and an elephant with one head forms the handle of each of the dish, tureen, and other covers. Every piece has also carved upon it the King's coat of arms and his name in a monogram.


Source: Scientific American - 4th July 1874

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dognose
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Re: The King of Siam's Dinner Service

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The above silver was noted as the dinner service used by the 25-year-old King Chulalongkorn to entertain former President Ulysses S. Grant when be visited Siam during his round-the-world tour in April 1879.

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Re: The King of Siam's Dinner Service

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His Excellency the Siamese Ambassador and suite, during their stay in this country, determined to present to the King of Siam, as a memento of his visit, a copy in silver of the Albert Memorial. This work has just been executed by Mr Benson, Silversmith, of Ludgate Hill and Old Bond Street. It is said to be the largest architectural piece of plate ever made, standing 7ft. high. The design has been somewhat modified to bring it into accordance with the Buddhist religion, but in general the lines of Sir Gilbert Scott has been followed. The figure of the Prince Consort has been replaced by that of the King of Siam.

Source: The Daily Telegraph - 18th November 1880

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Re: The King of Siam's Dinner Service

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Costliest Thimble on Record

Think of it, a thimble which cost $65,000 in American money! And think of a husband who presents his wife with such a gift! It belongs to the Queen of Siam. Thimbles were not in use in Siam until a comparatively recent date. The king seeing that English and American women visiting his court used thimbles, had one made for his wife, The thimble is of gold, enriched with precious stones. It is shaped like a partially-opened lotus flower, each petal bearing the interlaced initials of the sovereign and his wife in amethysts, rubies, emeralds and topazes. Around the rim of the thimble can be read the date of the marriage of the royal pair according to the Siamese and European calendars, each number and each letter being of alternate diamonds and pearls.


Source: The Keystone - January 1902

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Re: The King of Siam's Dinner Service

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Mr. J. W. Benson has had the privilege of submitting to Her Majesty a large ring made for the King of Siam, to be used by His Majesty, as head of the Buddhists in Eastern India, once a year for religious ceremonies. The centre stone, which is of great lustre, is 1¼ inches in diameter, and is enriched by a ruby, an emerald, a sapphire, and five other stones, cut cabochon shape. The mounting embodies emblems of the mystic faith of Buddhism. Mr. Benson, who has but lately returned from Siam, has recently completed other crown jewels for the same court. He has also just made to the order of the Maharajah of Jodhpur, three fine and complicated racing-watches, each having the chronograph action for timing contests. They are probably intended by the Maharajah as valuable prizes for running, and the design is not only artistic but appropriate. Each portrait is enamelled with a portrait of His Highness, inside and outside the cover and has also scenes of a spirited race on the flat, and a steeple-chase enamelled in circles round the case.

Source: The Watchmaker, Jeweller and Silversmith - August 1883

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Re: The King of Siam's Dinner Service

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A Casket of Gold

The gold casket which the corporation of London ordered to be made for presentation to the King of Siam is nearly completed and will, when finished, be sent to the Siamese Legation for dispatch to Siam. The casket is richly ornamented, the leading features being the supports which are represented by figures of elephants in gold, while upon the pilasters appear in relief the leaves of the sacred tree of Siam. Views of the Guild Hall, London Bridge, St.Paul's Cathedral and the Tower ornament the sides of the casket, on the lid of which is a portrait of the king executed in enamel.


Source: The Jewelers' Review - 29nd December 1897

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