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Two (or more) Thai Fringe Tiaras?
Posted by Al13 on August 23, 2021, 11:27 pm
Hello all, I'm not sure if the topic has been discussed already, but since the birthday of Queen Mother Sirikit, I have been thinking about Thai Royal Jewels.
In my research I came across this photo showing Princess Chulabhorn, sister of the current King, wearing what appears to be a fringe tiara. However to me it looks like it's a different shape than the tiara worn by her mother, Queen Mother Sirikit. It also looks smaller. It could just be the angle and the way it was worn, but I'm inclined to believe that there might actually be two fringe tiaras in the Thai Royal Collection.
The following photo montage shows fringe tiaras and necklaces as worn by Thai royal women. I confess that I am not sure as to the source of this montage as my file as a bit jumbled right now. If you are the owner of this montage please let me know so that proper credit may be given.
In my opinion the fringe tiara worn by Princess Chulabhorn shows a resemblance to the one in No. 5 as they both seem to be smaller, graduated fringes. Compare them with the fringe tiara worn by Queen Sirikit, which is traced back to Queen Saovabha Phongsri.
I originally thought that the fringe necklaces in 5 and 6 are the same but I think the 6 is more even and not a graduate fringe like that in 5. I'm struggling to identify the one in 3, considering the low quality photo so I'm still on the fence if this is indeed the Saovabha Phongsri Fringe.
Of course there is also the theory that Princess Chulabhorn's tiara is a new one, or at least came from a different source. The photo is a little low quality. I'm trying to find a better quality photo.
As for the identity of the women, I confess that I have not yet definitively identified the ladies in 3, 5, and 6, especially considering the sheer number of royal women in the older days of the Thai Royal Family.
I know virtually nothing about the Thai royal jewels, but it seems to me (from the photos) that there are at least 2 (if not 3) different fringes. I have always wonder if Queen Sirikit wore 2 different fringes, as it seems (to my eye) that the large fringe necklace is bigger than the fringe HM wore as a tiara. But perhaps I am imagining things!
I think that this is a question which will perplex us for a while. But I would love to see more discussion and photos to help us understand.