Mss Eur F111/88(1)

Genre: Historical Events

View from the upper storey of an adjoining building, looking towards the palace, with three funeral chariots in front of the walls, surrounded by crowds of mourners. A copy of this print was exhibited in Bangkok in 1996: 'The death of three of the youngest and highest-ranking children of King Chulalongkorn in the year 1887 caused great sorrow to the Royal Family and the court. All three were children of Queen Saowapha, who was the mother also of King Vajiravudh and King Prajadhipok. The cremation of the two young princes was a great event in February 1888. Elaborate wooden funeral chariots were constructed in accord with Thai royal custom. The chariots are visible here from some high vantage point east of the Grand Palace en route to the Royal Cremation Ground (called Phra Men or Sanam Luang, in Thai). Prince Siriat Kakutphan was less than two when he died. The King began the construction of Thailand's first hospital from the wood used in these funerals, and gave the hospital the prince's name. Princess Phahurat Manimani died in her eighth year, and the Phahurat Market south of the Royal Palace bears her name. Prince Triphet died only three months after his sister, at the age of six. Although the King had scores of children by his 150 minor wives, the only ones eligible for succession to the throne were the sons of his queens, three of whom were full sisters, and daughters of King Mongkut, and hence half-sisters to King Chulalongkorn' ( Henry Ginsburg, 'Thai Art and Culture. Historic Manuscripts from Western Collections' (British Library, London, 2000, p. 51).

Subjects = Curzon Collection; funerals; official events; Thai rulers