Turin 1911: The World's Fair in Italy

Object/Work Type
National Pavilions

Title Text
Pavilion of Siam

Alternate Title Text
Padiglione del Siam

Creator Description
Architects: Annibale Rigotti and Mario Tamagno.

Creation Date
1910-1911

Styles/Periods Description

The architecture of the Pavilion of Siam reflected a specific national architectural style, as it harked back to the design of local Buddhist temples, called Wats. These temples typically displayed a cruciform plan with triple-storied polychrome roofs and tapering central spire, also known as Prasat (from the Sanskrit prāsāda). A Prasat identified a significant architectural form with deep cultural and historical roots, primarily associated with royalty and sacred structures.

Styles/Periods Indexing Terms
National Style

Dimension Description

The Pavilion occupied an area of 800 square meters. The toal lenght was 65 meters, including terraces, and the total height was 45 meters (calculated from the dock on the river Po to the heighest point of the central spire) (see Giornale ufficiale, p.269).

Material Color
Colors (Hues or Tints), White (Color), Gold (Colors), Turquoise (Color)

Descriptive Note Text

The Pavilion of Siam digressed completely from the general neo-baroque architecture of the Exposition. The architectural project for the Pavilion of Siam was completed in Bangkok, Thailand, in the offices of the Public Works Department by architects Annibale Rigotti and Mario Tamagno. The Pavilion was inspired by the architecture of local temples (Wat) with large, polychrome roofs and a golden dome.

The Executive Committee for the Siamese exhibit in Turin was composed of Gerolamo Emilio Gerini (Commissioner-General), Annibale Rigotti (Techinical Director for the building of the Pavilion), and G. Vigna del Ferro (Secretary). The Pavilion was built by Natale Previgliano (Previgliano Costruzioni). King Mahà Vagiravudh was the president of the Royal Committee for the Exposition.

The Pavilion had a cruciform plan (named prāsād) and it was composed of three separate halls and three open galleries (“La mostra del Siam” in Giornale ufficiale, p. 269-270). The beautiful stucco decorations gracing the Pavilion were completed by sculptor Emilio Musso, the paintings were by Cesare Ferro, and the gildings and other decorations by Gian Battista Beroggio and Ernesto Domenico Smeriglio, the frescoes by Unione Decoratori. The Pavilion was said to be inspired by the Sutthaisawan Prasat Throne Hall in Bangkok.

The roof had three levels surmounted by a pyramidal spire with seven steps culminating in a slender finial. According to Gerini the Pavilion's white walls contrasted with the golden tiles of the roof. However, Siam's Chargé d'Affaires to his Majesty the King of Siam in Paris, Luang Montri, noted in a telegram dated April 29, 1911, that the pavilion was "painted green" (cited in Kanokwan Gerini). Typical mythological creatures, such as the Garuda bird and Naga snake graced the pediments and natural elements such as the lotus flower were also employed to decorate the Pavilion (Filippi, 2008; “La mostra del Siam” in Giornale ufficiale, p.269-270). The Pavilion had a double terrace in the front with green balaustrades with carvings in Thai design and small white posts. On both sides of the upper terrace there were steep stairs leading to the river.

The interior of the Pavilion displayed various exhibits, such as those of sericulture products with cotton, silk, and colored mats from the Ciantabun province, and fine straw hats. A collection of rare woods for construction and cabinet-making purposes were also on display. Other exhibits included mineral products, agricultural artifacts, and locally produced goods such as rice, tobacco, and pepper. The Pavilion also showed photographs of public works, and exhibits of precious silverware and jewellery.

Here is an excerpt describing the exterior of the Pavilion taken from G. E. Gerini's Catalogo descrittivo della mostra Siamese alla Esposizione Internazionale delle Industrie e del Lavoro in Torino, 1911. Torino: S.T.E.N. 1911.

Here is an excerpt describing the interior of the Pavilion taken from G. E. Gerini's Catalogo descrittivo della mostra Siamese alla Esposizione Internazionale delle Industrie e del Lavoro in Torino, 1911. Torino: S.T.E.N. 1911.

Code in the 1911 Map
SIM 85

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