
1. Fine silverware
This set was commissioned by the king of Siam. It was used for sirih, a mixture of areca palm nut,
lime and betel leaf. When you chew this it makes you feel good and it gives you energy. If you have
too much spit in your mouth, you spit it into the round pot. The royal set is not only beautiful, all the
different parts are there too.
Bangkok, Siam (now Thailand); 1880-1888; gilded silver; RV-413-1, -2, -3, -4
2. Products from Thailand
The king of Siam’s gift showed things that his country produced. Can you see what they are?
Siam (now Thailand); 1880-1888; glass, wood, shark’s fin, salt, tobacco, rice, peas, pepper, edible
bird’s nests, cardemom, sea cucumber, lotus seeds, mussels, areca palm nuts, Job’s tears, sesame
seeds, resin, lukrabas seeds, gamboge, wood oil, potentilla seed; RV-413 7 t/m 12; 16a; -16c; -16d; -
18; - 21 t/m 24; -26, -27; -29 to 32; -34a; -36; -40
Tasty gifts
The king of Siam gave things like birds’ nests that you can eat and sea cucumbers. These are special
things people like to eat in Thailand and surrounding countries. Tell each other: have you ever got
food as a present that you did or didn’t like to eat?