Lion Head Furniture
This gift consists of an ensemble of lounge seating set and was created in Bangkok, Thailand, by the Department of Fine Arts. There are 24 furniture pieces, including 4 sofas, 14 armchairs and 6 coffee tables. The seating is covered in vermillion leather and seating frames are crafted from teak wood. Each furniture leg has an important hand carved traditional Thai symbol, the gilded lion head. The traditional Lion Head represents royalty, strength, and courage with an aim for protection.
The Thai Ministry of Culture has an interest to highlight its culture, including areas of religions, arts and cultural management for development of the country. The Fine Arts Department has a responsibility for the country’s management of historic sites, objects, archives and the operations of its museums. They believe “Culture is the vital factor that has positive bearings on the promotion of people’s quality of life.”
The gift was presented by Thailand’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Permanent Representative of Thailand to the United Nations, Prince Wan Waithayakon (1891 – 1976), to the United Nations. It was accepted on behalf of the United Nations by Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjold.