Sculpture

The artistic styles of the region defined today as northern Thailand have been widely influenced by surrounding peoples, including the Burmese, the Khmer and the Mon. In spite of the diversity of these influences, the sculpture of the northern kingdoms of Lanna and Sukhothai shines through as being truly unique and distinct to the northern region.

Lanna Sculpture
The art of the northern kingdom of Lanna, produced from the 11th through to the 18th centuries, displays characteristics of Mon (Haripunchai), Khmer, Sukhothai, Burmese, Sri Lankan and Indian influence. Extending from Chiang Saen in the north to Lamphun and Lampang in the south, the Lanna region produced two main styles of Buddha image, the former known as the Chiang Saen style, after the northern town where many images have been found, and the latter called Chiang Mai or Late Chiang Saen style.

Images generally have massive chests and shoulders, and a slim waist. The torso is covered in an open robe with a short flap, ending above the left breast. The face is fleshy and surmounted by a lotus bud or gem ushnisha.

Later Lanna images adopt the slimmer torsos and faces of the Sukhothai era, with a flame-like cranial protuberance and a longer robe flap.

Sukhothai Sculpture
The history of Siam as a nation is often considered to have begun with the Kingdom of Sukhothai, which lasted from the 13th to the 15th centuries. Literally translated as 'The Dawn of Happiness', the Sukhothai Kingdom covered much of present-day Thailand, extending south into the Malay Peninsula.

Sukhothai-style Buddhist images are characteristically seated on a plain base in the 'bhumisparsa' or the 'victory over Mara' position. The sculptures generally feature a flame-like halo above the ushnisha, which symbolizes the Buddha's radiant spiritual energy. The face is oval with curved eyebrows, a long, hooked nose and a smiling expression, while the head is topped by small hair curls. A relatively slim waist, broad shoulders and a massive chest characterize the body.

Walking Buddha images, fully sculpted in the round, were an innovation of the Sukhothai era. The arms of the walking Buddha are very long and lithe, 'like the trunk of a young elephant', as stipulated in the early Indian scriptures.

	Mon Dvaravati Sculpture
	U Thong Sculpture
	Ayutthaya Sculpture
	Ratanakosin Sculpture
	Khmer and Lopburi Sculpture
	Early Hindu Sculpture
	Srivijaya and Peninsular Art

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