3-065-616 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Badge, collar, and star of a new order of knighthood instituted by the King of Siam, 1874. Regalia of the King of Siam, Grand Master of the Grand Siamese Order of Knighthood, designed by himself and '... executed by Messrs. Hunt and Roskell...The collar is of gold, with a centre ornament representing a three-headed elephant, surmounted by the regal crown encircled by rays. On each side...is a dragon of conventional Siamese character; and the remainder of the collar consists of links formed alternately of lotus-flowers and the Royal cipher. The entire ornament is closely studded with gems. The badge is formed of an eight-pointed star, in pink enamel, pendent from the regal crown encircled by rays. In the centre is a portrait, in enamel, of his Siamese Majesty...Around [this] are circles of diamonds, bordering a legend in Siamese characters in gold, on a ground of dark blue enamel. The points of the star are connected by a wreath of lotus-flowers in gold and enamel. The scarf is of pink watered silk ribbon, with gold buckle and hook. The star is of sixteen points, alternately silver and gold, closely set with diamonds. The Royal cipher [is]...surrounded by two circles of diamonds, which inclose a legend in Siamese characters'. From "Illustrated London News", 1874.