Sukhothai

Scope note: Refers to the period named for the Sukhothai kingdom that flourished in the region of Thailand from the late 13th to the mid-15th century. The period is considered the golden age of Thai civilization, dramatically influencing all other subsequent periods. In sculpture, the period is driven by religious orthodoxy, featuring refined Buddhist and Hindu images in bronze and stucco. A prevalent iconographic theme in sculpture was the Buddha's Footprint, often carved into stucco or stone, decorated with Wheel of the Law inscriptions and figures of deities and Buddhas, and found in wat temples throughout the region. Buddha images in this style predominantly feature a flame-like halo, hair set in small, pointed curls, and a hooked nose and mouth. Sukhothai sculptors were the first to portray Buddha in all four physical manifestations: sitting, reclining, standing, and walking. Productions in bas-relief recount dramatic religious events and are usually constructed in stucco. Architecture of this period features brick and laterite constructions, timber roofs covered with glazed terracotta tiles, the unique lotus bud-shaped stupas, conventional structures such as the prang, mondop, and wihan, stone pillars with carved capitals, niches housing Buddha sculptures, Khmer-style towers and makara sculptures in the pediments of niches, and a stylistic tendency toward attenuation and sleekness in architectural construction.

300019217

Tesaurus d'Art i Arquitectura