The fresh flower decoration in the royal funeral rites of Kings in Rattanakosin Era

Abstract

This thesis aims to explore the history of fresh flower decoration in the royal funeral rites of Kings and aristocrats in Rattanakosin Era as well as analyze pattern and development of fresh flower decoration in Royal Palace. This is a qualitative study conducted by means of researching and collecting historical evidences of artistic works, documents, chronicles, and photographs stored at the National Archives. Researchers interviewed relevant people and specialists and summarized the results by inquiring seven specialists in flower decoration using Snowball Sampling technique to choose from, then analyzed the data using Analytical Description procedure. The result shows that the traditions of flower decoration in royal palace have been passed by the hands of Mr. Tani, a renowned artisan in Ayutthaya Era, down to children and grandchildren in Rattanakosin Era. From lords to servants, the tradition prevails and prospers during the reign of King Rama V (1868 – 1910). It was not commonly recorded in documents but instead conserved through the system of nobility rank passing down from generations. Currently, civil service department and ceremony department are in charge of the fresh flower decoration duty. The main two sources where fresh flowers are supplied are from royal garden and external sources such as major cities. Style of conventional fresh flower decoration took after those of traditional which were highly regarded. The architectural pattern of thrones, top of crown, and castles are adopted into the decoration, for instance, the throne of Indra, royal picture frames, or catafalque. Also, as the influence of Chinese and European spread through Siam, the culture of flower decoration merged, evolved, and contributed to current beauty of flower decoration in Royal Palace, namely, interlacing of different color in garlands, improvement of exquisite and big mobile decoration, adaptation of fabric, paper, and wax into artificial flowers, This is a beauty model in the royal court that is inherited to the present.