The identity of the creation of Buddhist art in the Haripunchai period

Abstract

During the Haripunchai Period. there were many important civilization
sources of various ethnic groups located in the Chao Phraya River Basin. These sources
were located around in the central area. in the northeastern region. and including the
cities in the west which were Mon and Bagan kingdoms. These prosperous and
important sites of civilization have influenced the culture and fine art to the
communities in Haripunchai kingdom. It caused the mixture of arts and culture and
lead to the artistic development till it became a unique pattern of Hariphunchai’s art
and culture. There are the two kinds of identity of Hariphunchai art work in creating
the unique Buddhist art. namely. 1)The identity in creation of Buddhist statue: the
Buddha image’s face has a rather long face. the forehead (Nalat) is wide and protruding.
the eye brow linked together like the crow’s wing. the eyes are bulging. the mouth is
wide. the lip is thick with the beard. the hairs is toped-sharp. the head has its edge of
hairs. 2) The Identity in Architectural design. especially the construction of Phra That
Chedi (Pagoda): Phra That Hariphunchai appeared in the legend that Phraya Athitarat
had his men construct the Phra Mahathat Hariphunchai in the area where the Buddha's
relics were found in 1664 B.E. When firstly built. it looked like a castle-shaped stupa.
12 cubits high. with 4 pillars. 4 doors. Then in 1628. during the reign of Phraya Sanpasit.
he had restored Phra That Haripunchai up to 12 meters in height. Later. in the reign of
King Mangrai. the first King of the Lanna Kingdom. Phra that Hariphunchai was restored
again in 1829. In this restoration. the shape of Phra That Chedi was converted from a
castle-shaped into sphere-shaped stupa. and then there has been continuously many
restorations in the later various reigns of kings in Lanna kingdom.