The silver ewer presented to Louis XIV as a gift by a Siamese ambassadorial mission to Versailles in 1686. It has been acquired by the Palace of Versailles in a private treaty sale through auction firm Beaussant Lefèvre.
Photo: ©Studio Sebert - Beaussant Lefèvre
The only known item of silverware to have survived from a lavish diplomatic gift presented to Louis XIV by the King of Siam has been acquired by the Palace of Versailles via a private treaty sale through auction firm Beaussant Lefèvre.
The rare 17th Chinese engraved and part-gilded ewer is one of 80 pieces of gold and silver presented to the Sun King as part of the diplomatic mission held in 1686.