Thailand, Kingdom. A Most Noble Order Of The Crown, I Class Knight Grand Cross, C.1900

(Khrueang Ratcha-itsariyaphon An Mi Kiattiyot Ying Mongkut Thai, Prathamabhorn Mongkut Thai (nee Maha Surabhorn). Instituted in 1869. Second Period (1873-1941). Badge: three-piece construction, the centrepiece insignia in silver gilt, mounted to a base in silver gilt with petals in alternating red and green enamels, monogram of King Rama V (AKA Chulalongkorn; reign: October 1, 1868 - October 23, 1910) on the reverse cartouche, measuring 48.5 mm (w) x 73 mm (h) inclusive of its crown suspension, with loop, accompanied by its original full-length sash bearing a large bow-tie and incorporating a decorative moiré pattern; and Breast Star: three-piece construction, the centrepiece insignia in silver gilt with red, green and blue enamels framed within a faceted ring, mounted to a base in silver gilt with petals in alternating red and green enamels, measuring 69.5 mm in diameter, vertical pinback. Intact enamels, very light contact, near extremely fine. In their hardshelled case of issue, the exterior in sapphire blue felt, with the arms of the Kingdom of Siam in silver and measuring 64.8 mm (w) x 68 mm (h) affixed to the lid, inside lid lined in white satin and bearing a faded inscription, the medal bed with a raised platform in off-white white felt, with two recessed and slotted beds, the left one for the Breast Star and the right one for the Badge, the underside of the platform in white satin, and when the platform is removed, it exposes the white satin lined base that houses the Sash, push release on the front panel, with a long hinge on the back panel, measuring 200 mm (w) x 115 mm (h) x 70.5 mm (d), exhibiting light wear in the blue felt on the lid and along the bottom edge on the exterior, wear in the fabric overlying the hinged area, along with light soiling on the off-white felt on the medal bed, case better than very fine.

Footnote: 1. The Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand was instituted on December 29, 1869 by King Mongkut Rama IV of The Kingdom of Siam (now Thailand) for Thais, the royal family, governmental employees, and foreign dignitaries, for their outstanding services to the Kingdom of Thailand. The order originally had seven classes and was awarded in five grades: Grand Cordon, Knight or Dame Grand Cross, Knight or Dame Commander, Commander, Companion and Member, plus a Gold Grade and Silver Grade medal. An eighth version, the Special Class, was added by King Rama VI in 1918. 2. The arms of the Kingdom of Siam were created during the reign of King Chulalongkorn the Great (Rama V), when the Kingdom was exposed to Western traditions, ideas, and also European threat of colonialism. King Chulalongkorn, who visited Europe twice, modernized Siam and adopted many of the European traditions to his court, including the use of heraldry. Until 1911 the country, then named Siam, had no official arms, but used the Royal Arms, as presented on the front of the case.