Bangkok dated 1872
A very large late 19th century Siamese (Thai) silver bowl

Of rounded circular form, embossed to the upper section stepped rectangular vignettes of a stylised singha interspersed with rosettes and foliage, all between two rosette bands of four petel flowers rak roi, with a band below of funnell pattern lai krachang ta oi. Engraved to the top rim with a presentation inscription reading “From Nai Leck Surawongse of Siam to the Revd. William Charles Salter Principle of Saint Alban Hall, Oxford 1872”. Unmarked.

Diameter – 36.5 cm / 14.3 inches

Height – 17.2 cm / 6.75 inches

Weight – 1414 grams / 45.45 ozt

(Quantity:1)

Saint Alban Hall was purchased by Merton College in 1548 and was finally annexed by the college in 1881. William Chales Slater elected Fellow of the college to the Blundell Foundation in 1848 (Forester's Alumni Oxonienses: Members of the university of scholar at Balliol, p. 1247). He was the last principle of St Alban before its incorporation into Merton. Revd. William kept administrative records of the Hall that have been preserved in their archives. One of these is an admissions register, it records that Surawongse Leck, third son of the Prime Minster of Siam, was admitted on 23^rd April 1873, aged 19, and returned to Siam 15^th January 1874. The date discrepancy between the admission and the date on the bowl may be a mistake in the translation between the Western and the Buddhist calendar.

In an appendix of Forster’s Alumni, titled Indians, Etc., it records only two Siamese students, the first being H.R.H. Sootohai Bhanuwongse, 1s Son, Chruppya of Siam, Balliol College matriculated 15^th Oct 1871 aged 20, then Mr. Surawongse Leck, the third son of "Chow Phyia" of Bangkok who was entered in to St Albans Hall on the 23^rd April 1873 aged 19.

Chow Phyia, Mr Leck’s father, is Somdet Chao Phraya Borom Maha Sri Suriyawongse known as Chuang Bunnag (1809-1883), who was a prominent 19th-century Thai figure. He served as the Regent during the early years of the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama v) before his coronation. After the death of King Mongkut (Rama IV) in 1868, his young son Prince Chulalongkorn became the new monarch. However, as the new king was underage, Chuang Bunnag was named as regent, a post he held until 1873.

Sons of Chuang Bunnag; Khun Sutjai, Khun Tuie, Khun Klieng, and Khun Pier (Mr. Leck). However, he did send Khun Pier to live in Bangkok to be taught English, and Khun Pier eventually accompanied H.R.H. Prince Swasti Wadh to Oxford University. He went to Balliol College, Oxford University at the same time as H.R.H. Prince Swast (King Prajatipok, Rama VII's father-in-law). He studied there for one year, became homesick, and returned to Bangkok, to become a Page in the Court of King Rama V.

His father, Chow Phyia, described as the Prime Minister must be more correctly addressed by his title Somdet Chao Phraya Borom Maha Sri Surawongse or Chuang Bunnag, was very pro-British and encouraged a 'new generation' among the court's officials educated in western science, engineering and steamship building sending his own son to Oxford for a while to experience university life in England. He had a positive relationship with early Protestant missionaries giving them land in Bangkok to build churches and promoting the Siam-British relationship, culminating in the Bowring Treaty in 1855, facilitating an economic relationship with Britain.

Chuang Bunnag died in 1883 on a canal boat while returning from Ratchaburi, he was 74 years 27 days. His eldest son, Won Bunnag, succeeding him as Samuha Kalahom. and also held the title Chao Phraya Surawongse. He held a grand ball and dinner for the 19^th birthday of King Rama V at his residence in Klong Sarn, Dhonburi. Including foreign dignitaries and the Siamese court, the first occasion of such an event.

Khun Pier (Surawongse Leck), was born on 30" September 1860 in the town of Petchaburi. Unfortunately his conduct at Court later in his life anger King Rama V and Khun Pier was severely castigated. Only on the intervention of Chuang Bunnag, his father, was he saved from being thrown into prison. His father begged the King's pardon and leniency, and said he would hold his son under house arrest. The King consented and handed Khun Pier over to his father.