Nicolas de Fontenay
In Buddha's hand
In the 14th century A.D., King Sri Indrathit declared Sukhotai's liberation from the Khmer and adopted a form of Buddhism based on the Sri Lankan school. During this period, Sukhothai Art developed a radically different appearance to Mon and Khmer styles.
The differences can be seen in the 'Walking Buddha' an original creation of the Sukhothai School. The inspiration for this new style came from the 'Mahapurislaksana Text' (Features of the great man), which developed the idea of idealistic and superhuman characteristics and expressed the power of compassion and serenity.
Such development have made Sukhothai Art worthy of high praise as a truly unique and beautiful style. It was also during this period that the 'four posture' group of Buddha images were created. The four poses consisted of, walking, standing, sitting and reclining. Sukhothai images can be classified into four distinct groups.
The Major Group: Distinguished Sukhothai features included a flame aureole, whorls of fine curled hair, an oval face, high curving eyebrows, downward gazing eyes, booked nose and a gentle smiling expression. The torso included broad shoulders and a small waist. Robes were hung diagonally accross the body and were completed with a zigzag edge mantle that extended down the navel. Most commonly the Buddha would be seated in the Subduing Mara (Maravijaya) posture on a plain base.
The Kamphaengbet Group: The characteristics are generally similar to the major group apart from the broader upper face and a pointed chin.
The Phra Phutthachirarai Group:In this group, thought to have originated during the reign of King Lithai, the aureole is flame shaped, the torso is rather plump, the face rounded and all fingers (excluding the thumb) on each hand were of equal length.
The Heterogeneous Group or Wat Ta Kuwan Group: First discovered at Wat Ta Kuan in Sukhothai. The facial features are similar to images from the early Chiang Saen - Lanna period. This style is though to have been created during the early 14th century A.D.
If you want to learn more about Thai buddha's art images. That's here
In Buddha's hand
In the 14th century A.D., King Sri Indrathit declared Sukhotai's liberation from the Khmer and adopted a form of Buddhism based on the Sri Lankan school. During this period, Sukhothai Art developed a radically different appearance to Mon and Khmer styles.
The differences can be seen in the 'Walking Buddha' an original creation of the Sukhothai School. The inspiration for this new style came from the 'Mahapurislaksana Text' (Features of the great man), which developed the idea of idealistic and superhuman characteristics and expressed the power of compassion and serenity.
Such development have made Sukhothai Art worthy of high praise as a truly unique and beautiful style. It was also during this period that the 'four posture' group of Buddha images were created. The four poses consisted of, walking, standing, sitting and reclining. Sukhothai images can be classified into four distinct groups.
The Major Group: Distinguished Sukhothai features included a flame aureole, whorls of fine curled hair, an oval face, high curving eyebrows, downward gazing eyes, booked nose and a gentle smiling expression. The torso included broad shoulders and a small waist. Robes were hung diagonally accross the body and were completed with a zigzag edge mantle that extended down the navel. Most commonly the Buddha would be seated in the Subduing Mara (Maravijaya) posture on a plain base.
The Kamphaengbet Group: The characteristics are generally similar to the major group apart from the broader upper face and a pointed chin.
The Phra Phutthachirarai Group:In this group, thought to have originated during the reign of King Lithai, the aureole is flame shaped, the torso is rather plump, the face rounded and all fingers (excluding the thumb) on each hand were of equal length.
The Heterogeneous Group or Wat Ta Kuwan Group: First discovered at Wat Ta Kuan in Sukhothai. The facial features are similar to images from the early Chiang Saen - Lanna period. This style is though to have been created during the early 14th century A.D.
If you want to learn more about Thai buddha's art images. That's here