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Auction: 17001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 413

(x) The magnificent Thai Order of the Royal House of Chakri attributed to Sultan Fuad I, King of Egypt and Sudan

Thailand, The Most Illustrious Order of the Royal House of Chakri, Grand Cross set of insignia, Collar chain, comprising 19 medallions, ten of interwoven double Chakra and Trisula and nine of floral medallions, each embellished with 6 small diamonds, and each linked via two gold rings and affixed to the reverse by a sliding clasp, this stamped '18ct' to the reverse, 545mm, gold and enamel, with Badge Appendant, 107mm including suspension x 55mm, gold, silver, enamel and the central medallion embellished with 41 small diamonds, stamped '18ct' to the reverse, one integral ring lacking; Star, 83mm, gold, silver, enamel and the central medallion embellished with 42 small diamonds; sash Badge, 85mm including trophy of arms suspension x 45mm, gold, stamped '18ct' to the reverse, link for sash Badge fixation lacking from riband, minor blue enamel chip to one or two Trisula tips on the chain, otherwise nearly extremely fine and of the highest rarity, with full sash riband and in case of issue, velvet on the latter slightly worn on edges (Lot)

Fuad I was born in 1868, seventh son of Khedive Ismail Pasha (affectionately known as 'Ismail the Magnificent'), and was educated in Europe, including military training at the Turin Academy. Fuad was considered as a candidate for the Albanian throne following its independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1913. On the death of his brother, and the refusal of Crown Prince Kamal el Dine Hussein to take the throne, Fuad reigned as Sultan of Egypt, 1915-22. He styled himself as King of Egypt, and Sovereign of Nubia, the Sudan, Kurdufan and Darfur, 1922-36, as the ninth ruler of the Muhammad Ali dynasty. He was awarded the insignia of the above Order in 1934, and died in 1936 at the Koubbeh Palace, Cairo, aged 68.

The Most Illustrious Order of the Royal House of Chakri was established in 1882, by King Rama V. Its establishment was in commemoration of the Bangkok Centennial, whence King Taksin of Thonburi's reign ended, beginning the Chakri dynasty and the capital of Siam moving to Bangkok.

A single class Order only available to members of the Thai royal family, foreign heads of state and members of other royal houses, it is rarely encountered on the market, with only 61 awards to foreigners to the present day. H.M. The Queen was awarded the insignia of the Order on 19 July 1960. Such is the scarcity of foreign recipients that King Fuad's appointment was one of just three in the period 1934-1948, the others recipients being French President Albert François Lebrun (19 April 1934) and King George VI (2 February 1937).

Observed in the design of the Order are a number of elements related to the dynasty. The most prevalent is certainly the emblem of the Chakri dynasty, designated by King Rama I, comprising the celestial weapons of the Chakra (a 108-edged discuss) and the Trisula (trident). Each represents the gods Vishnu, and Shiva, of which the latter the Thai sovereign is seen as an incarnation. In wearing the Order, the chain is placed around the neck with appendant Badge attached, the Star upon the left breast and the sash Badge upon the yellow sash, this worn from the left shoulder to the right hip.

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Sold for
£32,000