WD540(85)

‘'The Lord White Elephant' Regalia.’

FIG 1, — A plate of gold, probably eighteen inches in length, bordered with innumerable Rubies, and having, in the centre, the name or title of the Royal beast. Worn across the forehead.

FIG 2. — The jewelled Frontlet, worn above the trunk, and below the eyes; a massive crescent of gold, with three rows of Rubies around the edge. In the centre is a circle of nine jewels, amongst which were the Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, and Pearl. (The remaining stones not recognized., These surrounded a large Ruby in the centre, and represented the nine charms. Small Rubies margined this circle, and these, again, were surrounded by a wreath of leaves ; the centre of each being set with a large Ruby, edged by a narrow line of the same jewel. This ornament, which occupied the centre of the crescent, and was surrounded by very large emeralds, set within borders of Diamonds, was flanked by two circular beds of jewels, similarly composed, and, these again, by two outer and smaller circles of like form and character.

FIG 3. — The head covering. A gigantic net of Pearls, embossed with plates, or rosettes, of gold set with Rubies. Two jewelled circles, of size and position corresponding to the two bumps on the Elephant's head, over which they fitted, occupied the centres of the two hemispheres of this net, and were formed of the nine jewels (or charms) as in fig 2, surrounded by four circles of Rubies. Environing this entire net, that was in shape like a peepul leaf, was a band of Rubies, and this again was margined by vandyke or net pearl work, edged with a border of thin gold peepul leaves. Two immense jewels, one an emerald, surrounded by Diamonds, and small gold leaves, were pendant at the lower point of this head dress, and would fall between the eyes.

FIG 4. — Was the ‘Choonee’, or Driving hook. The hook and handle were formed of crystal, tipped with gold; and the whole length of the staff, about three feet long, was cased in pearls, banded at intervals with gold and rubies. It was altogether an exceedingly beautiful and tasteful article.

FIG 5. — A smaller choonee, or hook, formed of gold, set with small Rubies, with handle of cane. It is believed to have been the ordinary hook used by Royal hands on some occasions of the former King or Kings have ridden the ‘Lord white Elephant’.