Siam (Thailand), Kingdom. A Dushdi Mala Medal For Arts And Science, 2Nd Class

1st type, attributed in 1896 to R.M.E. Raaff at Djocja (Yogyakarta), Java. Oval silver medal on crossed swords and mace suspension; the face with head of King Chulalongkorn the Great (Rama V) facing left within a border with his title in Thai characters, a laurel spray below; the reverse with a Thai demigod centrally on a plinth, a sword in his right hand, resting on an escutcheon with the royal Thai arms with a tricephalous elephant for Thai, an elephant for Laotian suzerainty and two kris for Malay suzerainty, a laurel wreath in his left hand crowning a shield to the right engraved with an attribution to R.M.E. Raaff at Djocja and dated 5 July 1896, circumscribed in Thai characters; 40.3mm (1.58 inch) wide, 60.5mm (2.38 inches) high; without ribbon. (The ribbon was white and red halves vertically).

Footnote: The Medal was instituted by King Rama V (King Chulalongkorn) in 1882 to be awarded for contributions to the arts and sciences and was made by the Monnaie de Paris (Paris Mint).

King Chulalongkorn was born on 20 September 1853, eldest son of Mongkut (Rama IV) and succeeded his father on 1 October 1863 but, being under-age, a Regency was in place for the next four years. He assumed full power on 16 November 1873.

He made three visits to Java, the first in 1871, the second in 1896 and the third in 1901 and showed particular interest in textile techniques and production.

The Royal Diary for 4 July 1896 states At 1p.m. someone delivered batik His Majesty ordered. Then in the afternoon His Majesty went to a Dutchwoman’s house to see the process of kain making (now popularly known as batik)).

R.M.E. Raaff was co-founder of the Sewu Galur plantation in the Adikerto Regency, northwest of Yogyakarta.

This offering is a part of the "Dr. Albert Goodwin Collection", a preeminent assemblage of world Orders, Medals, and Decorations composed solely by Dr.Goodwin between 1946-1967. Dr. Goodwin had a successful career as an educator and prominent physician in New York as well as actively serving in both World Wars with the United States Medical Corps. He acted as both President and Vice-President of the Orders and Medals Society of America (OMSA) and is responsible for organizing their first convention in 1960. He maintained further membership with the American Society of Military Collectors, the International Orders Research Society, and the American Numismatic Society. His knowledge and passion for history and awards is evident in this meticulously compiled collection that is now available in its entirety for the first time exclusively on eMedals.com.