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| Mon Dvaravati Art In Thailand |
- Dvaravati art refers to the art style that dominated in Thailand during 7th – 11th C before the arrival of the Khmers
and later the Tai. Dvaravati also refers to the Mon communities that
ruled what is now Thailand. Nakhon Pathom, Khu Bua and U Thong in
Central Thailand are important sites for Dvaravati art and
architecture. The art objects are of Hinayana Buddhist, Mahayana
Buddhist and Hindu religious subjects. Objects are stone sculpture,
stucco, terra cotta and bronze.
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The style is influenced from India, Amaravati [ South India ] and
Gupta and post-Gupta prototypes [ 4th – 8th C in India ] but have local
elements to reflect southeast asian facial features. The distinctive
Dvaravati sculpture is that of the Wheel of Law found throughout the
Dvaravati Kingdom. These symbols of the Buddha's first sermon were
erected on high pillars and placed in temple compounds. Today good
examples can be seen at the National Museum Bangkok.
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- This period marked the beginning of the various art styles. In India
Buddhist clerics introduced 32 features to be included in any
representation of the Buddha so that all his images should not be
confused with those of ordinary people but be instantly recognizable as
the Buddha. He is portrayed as superior to ordinary men with profound
spiritual purity conquering physical desire by the mind and showing the
aura of inner peace.
- In contrast the crafting of images of the Hindu Gods, Brahma, Vishnu
and Shiva who were super humans radiating power required different
images. They were accorded kingly status, crowned and adorned with
jewels and given strong and beautiful faces.
- These Gods showed strength, radiated power and masculine vigor. The
consorts to these Gods were the embodiment of feminine grace and
sweetness. In these times art had to capture the intangible, invisible
gods and translate their themes into figures of stone or bronze. In
doing so they were guided by rules devised in India.
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| The Best Location Places To See Mon Dvaravati Art In Thailand |
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The best location places to see Dvaravati art are The National Museum Bangkok, the James Thompson Museum in Bangkok and the National Museum U Tong.
- Mon Dvaravati art has been found as far south as Yalang ancient city in
Pattani,as far north as in Srithep in Petchabun, and as far east as Fa
Dad Sung Yang in Kalasin and Sema in Nakhon Rachasima.
- There are three forms, sculpture for decorating holy places, architecture and utensils.
Early art had indian faces but later became more indigenous looking.
The sculptures for decorating holy places were made of stucco, baked and raw clay.
Paintings were also popular and were of people, dwarfs and animals, particularly, lions.
Samples of these works are on display at all regional Thailand National Museums.
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| Mon Dvaravati Stone Buddha |
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| Mon Dvaravati Bronze Buddha |
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