[From: 50th anniversary edition of "Arts of Asia."]* [This article appears within the larger anniversary feature: "Arts of Asia Fiftieth Anniversary: Featuring Fifty Favourite Objects, Selected by Experts in the Asian Art World" (pp. 57-110).] When asked by the Editor of "Arts of Asia" to select one artwork for the 50th anniversary edition of this journal, I knew immediately that I should choose the "Royal Seal", or coat of arms, of King Chulalongkorn, Rama Y, of Thailand, from the Smithsonian collections for which I serve as curator. This object had not been located during prior research about the Smithsonian's Thai royal gifts to the USA; Arts of Asia played a role in our recently finding it. Gifted by the King of Siam (Thailand) to the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition of 1876, this large so-called "Royal Seal" (as it was named in the original 1876 Exposition's gift lists) is made of lacquered wood with layers of gilded plating. It is in composition a very Western-style coat of arms, whose component elements, however, are all traditional Thai royal symbols. Its escutcheon's three subdivisions show Erawan, the three-headed elephant, a single elephant , and the crossed kris daggers, representing respectively central, northern, and southern Thailand. Above the shield are the seven-tiered royal umbrellas; below is a Pali motto sometimes translated "Unity brings happiness". The elephant lion is seen on the royal seal's dexter side (on the left as we view it), while on the opposite (sinister) side is the king of lions. These mythical animals represent respectively the Ministry of Defence (military) and the Ministry of Interior within the royal government. *See publisher's website for information on purchasing full journal: https://www.artsofasianet.com/back_issues/
