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| Srivijaya Art In Thailand |
- The term Srivijaya art is like the term Lan Na art in that it reflects
various infusions of style from India, Champa [ Vietnam ] and central
Java it might rather be a reference to all art and architecture in
South Thailand in the period 7th - 13th C.
- The Srivijaya Kingdom was ruled by the
Sailendra dynasty of Central Java, which also ruled the Indonesian
Archipelago, the Malay Peninsula and Southern Thailand to the Isthmus
of Kra.
- Its capital in what is now Thailand was the City of Chaiya [ then
called Grahi ].
- In Thailand sculpture and architectural relics confirm
that Mahayana Buddhism was predominate. The style reflects close
resemblance to Indo-Javanese art also showing influences from India [
Amaravati, Pala and Gupta ].
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| Srivijaya Bronze Buddha Of Grabi Thailand |
- Most Srivijaya architecture is on the east coastline from Surat Thani
Province south to Songkhla Province and comprises religious buildings
of Mahayana Buddhism. Good examples are Phra Borom Mathat at Chaiya in
Javanese style made of brick and mortar [ 9th – 10th C ], Wat Kaew
Pagoda at Chaiya also of Javanese form and Wat Long Pagoda. The
original Wat Mahathat at Nakhon Si Thammarat [ a Srivijayan city ] was subsequently encased by a larger Sri Lanka styled building.
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Good examples of Srivijaya art, especially bronzes can be seen at
National Museum Bangkok.
- From the 11th C Khmer influences were also apparent. In the middle of
the 13th C the Srivijaya Empire fell apart and the new Tai Empire of
Sukhothai penetrated as far South as Nakhon Sri Thammarat bringing with
it new influences on art.
- Major works include the Bodhisatta Bronze with
silver inlay shown above. This was found at Chaiya, Surat Thani and
dates 8th – 9th C. Another major work as shown here is the Buddha under
the Naga King, ‘’Muchalinda’’, in bronze. This is from Wat Wieng,
Chaiya, Surat Thani, and is dated 1183.
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| Where To See Srivijaya Art In Thailand |
- The best places to see the better examples of Srivijaya Period art are the National Museum Bangkok and the National Museum at Nakhon Si Thammarat and the Museum at Wat Phra Mahathat at Chaiya [ both in South Thailand ].
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| Srivijaya Bronze At National Museum Bangkok |
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| Srivijaya Bronze Buddha Of Grabi |
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