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Lidded bottle with monogram of Rama V (Chulalongkorn)
Lidded bottle with monogram of Rama V (Chulalongkorn)

Lidded bottle with monogram of Rama V (Chulalongkorn)

Place of OriginChina
Date1888
MaterialsBlue and white porcelain
DimensionsH. 12 1/2 in x Diam. 5 1/2 in, H. 31.7 cm x Diam. 14.0 cm
Credit LineGift from Doris Duke Charitable Foundation's Southeast Asian Art Collection
Object number2006.27.99.a-.b
DepartmentSoutheast Asian Art
ClassificationsCeramics
On View
Not on view
More Information

King Rama V (aka Chulalongkorn, reigned 1868-1910) was very fond of Chinese ceramics. Both he and several wealthy Chinese merchants who served the court commissioned dishes bearing the king's monogram. The monogram is made up of three Thai letters that occur in the king's name and title.

The teapot [2006.27.98.A-.B] and two lidded bottles [2006.27.99.A-.B and 2006.207.100.A-.B] seen in "Emerald Cities: Arts of Siam and Burma" all have different treatments of these three letters as a decorative element, but the letters are so stylized that they are hard to make out.

Sometimes the letters are surrounded with various auspicious symbols such as the "Buddha's hand," a kind of citron fruit; bats; pomegranates; and peaches. These motifs represent blessings, good luck, and longevity.

Another motif, seen on the teapot, depicts a coin issued in 1874. One side of the coin bears the Thai date and the other side shows the king's monogram in stylized Thai letters.