National Museum of Natural History
Royal Gifts from the Kingdom of Thailand
November 1, 1982 – July 31, 1983
On view are 15 exquisitely crafted gifts from Thai monarchs to the United States and to U.S. presidents. Among the objects are a vessel-cover of black lacquer and inlaid mother-of-pearl, hammered silver teapots decorated in lacquer and gold, robes of knotted silver and gold thread, decorative models of royal barges, and a ceremonial chariot. All pieces are from the NMNH collections and date from 1856 to the present. Also included are historical photographs.
The exhibition is cosponsored by the Smithsonian and the Friends of Thailand, and commemorates the 200th year of the Chakri dynasty and the capital of Bangkok, and the 100th year of U.S.-Thai diplomatic relations.
