Japanese-style gold niello sword, scabbard

These swords and kris were symbols of power used as court regalia. Like many of the items that comprised an insignia set, these weapons emphasize the cosmopolitan nature of Bangkok, where influences from around Asia, including Japan and the Malay Archipelago, were easily sourced at the time. -
Gift from King Mongkut to President James Buchanan (received by President Abraham Lincoln), 1861