SIAM, THE MOST ILLUSTRIOUS ORDER OF THE ROYAL HOUSE OF CHAKRI |

set of insignia in gold, diamonds and enamels, comprising (i) collar of twenty links, comprising two single joined tridents and wheels, eight double joined tridents and wheels of gold and nine Chakri dynastic cyphers, and gold and enamel clasp, length 524mm ; (ii) pendent collar badge in silver, gold, diamonds and enamels, height 99.2mm, width 54.3mm; (iii) sash badge in gold, with hinged trophy of Thai arms over trident within wheel of flames, height 89.5mm, width 41.4mm; and (iv) breast star, in silver, gold, diamonds and enamels, width 81.3mm; with unused length of original watered silk yellow sash ribbon, and a brief note confirming date of the award, good extremely fine (lot)  

Presented to the 2nd Duke on 30^th June 1897 by the King of Siam during his State Visit to Great Britain.  The Duke’s diary records: ‘At 5.20 to Victoria Station to meet the King of Siam, who was received with full Royal Honours.  We were all in uniform, Guards of Honour and full escort… ...Drove with him in State open carriage to Buckingham Palace… …before leaving he presented his Order to me, the Maha-Chakri.’  A similar set was presented to Queen Victoria and is in the Royal Collection. The Order was instituted by King Rama V in 1882 both to mark the centennial of the foundation of Bangkok and in honour of his Chakri forebear Rama I (1782-1809).