Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Thailand's Artistic Periods
TEMPLE &
CHEDI
STYLES
PERIOD
BUDDHA STYLES
EXAMPLES
Indian-influenced with a
thick torso, large hair
curls, arched eyebrows
to represent a flying bird,
protruding eyes, thick
lips and a flat nose
Phra Pathom Chedi,
Nakhon Pathom;
Lopburi Museum,
Lopburi; Wat Chama
Thawi, Lamphun
Dvaravati
period
(7th-11th
centuries)
rectangular-based
chedi
with
stepped tiers
Mahayana-
Buddhist-style
temples;
Javanese-style
chedi
with elabor-
ate arches
Wat Phra Boromath-
at, Chaiya; Wat Phra
Mahathat Worama-
hawihaan and Na-
tional Museum, Nak-
hon Si Thammarat
Srivijaya
Period
(7th-13th
centuries)
Indian influenced: heavily
ornamented, humanlike
features and slightly twis-
ted at the waist
Buddha meditating under
a canopy of the seven-
headed
naga
and atop a
lotus pedestal
Khmer peri-
od (9th-11th
centuries)
Hindu-Buddhist
temples; corn-
cob-shaped
prang
Phimai, Nakhon
Ratchasima;
Phanom Rung, Surin
Teak temples;
square-based
chedi
topped by
gilded umbrella;
also octagonal-
base
chedi
Chiang
Saen-Lanna
period
(11th-13th
centuries)
Burmese influences with
plump figure, round,
smiling face and foot-
pads facing upwards in
meditation pose.
Wat Phra Singh, Chi-
ang Mai; Chiang
Saen National Mu-
seum
Khmer-inspired
temples; slim-
spired
chedi
topped by a lotus
bud
Sukhothai
period
(13th-15th
centuries)
Graceful poses, often de-
picted 'walking', no ana-
tomical human detail
Sukhothai Historical
Park, Sukhothai
Ayuthaya
period
(14th-18th
centuries)
Classical Thai
temple with three-
tiered roof and
gable flourishes;
Ayuthaya-era king, wear-
ing a gem-studded crown
and royal regalia
Ayuthaya Historical
Park, Ayuthaya
