Press release -
Rare Golden Bowls from the King of Siam up for Auction
Two fantastic golden bowls tell the story of the Dane, who ended up becoming the King of Siam’s confidential advisor and close friend. At the summer’s Live Auction in Copenhagen, Bruun Rasmussen looks to the Far East with a large number of Asian art objects from Scandinavian collections.
The highlight of this summer's auction of art and antiques from Asia is two golden bowls from Thailand, formerly known as Siam. The bowls carry the story of the enterprising Dane, admiral, businessman and politician, Andreas du Plessis de Richelieu (1852-1932). He became one of King Chulalongkorn's (Rama V) closest advisors and had a significant influence on the development of modern Thailand.
The King of Siam gave the magnificent golden bowls to Richelieu in 1893 and 1902 respectively. The first and largest bowl was given to the Dane as he was awarded the highest Siamese noble title of Phya Pan Tong. The second bowl in the shape of a lotus was given by the King to Richelieu as a farewell present when Richelieu decided to return to Denmark with his family after 25 years in Siam.
The King’s personal inscription in the bowl is a testimony not only to Richelieu’s talents as an advisor but also as his status as a highly cherished friend:
"To his Excellency Phya Cholayutyothin in dear remembrance as a token of high esteem of old acquaintance and sincere friendship."
The Head of Bruun Rasmussen’s Department of Asian Art, Ralph Lexner, describes the bowls from Thailand as extremely rare:
"It is quite extraordinary to see Asian decorative art of pure gold. It is also a rare occasion to be able to present a gift from a king at auction – and finally, there is the story that comes with the bowls, which is outstanding in itself,” says Ralph Lexner.
Auction: 28 May at 2pm at Bredgade 33 in Copenhagen
Preview: 23-27 May at the same address
Read more about Admiral Andreas du Plessis de Richelieu
View all the Asian art objects up for auction
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Bruun Rasmussen Auctioneers is one of Scandinavia’s leading international auction houses, and one of Denmark’s oldest. It all started on 6 October 1948, when Arne Bruun Rasmussen conducted the first traditional auction in the saleroom at Bredgade 33 in Copenhagen. Today, Jesper Bruun Rasmussen stands at the helm of the family-run business together with the third generation of the family, his son Frederik and daughter Alexa, and the company’s CEO Jakob Dupont.
In 2004, the first online auction was launched, and today the auction house has expanded to include departments in Copenhagen and Aarhus and representations in Sweden, Germany, England, France, Belgium, Luxemburg, Spain, Italy, Thailand and the US. About 100,000 lots are put up for auction each year at the traditional auctions, the daily online auctions and - the latest edition - direct auctions. Here you can bid on everything from art, antiques, modern design and jewellery to books, coins, stamps, wine and weaponry.
