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Bodhisattva

Keywords : Buddha image, Bangkok National Museum , Bodhisattva, Lopburi, khmer art in Thailand

Site common nameBangkok National Museum
Type of artworkSculpture
Sub districtPhra Borom Maha Ratchawang
DistrictKhet Phra Nakhon
ProvinceBangkok
RegionCentral
CountryThailand
Geographic Coordinates
Decimal degree
Lat : 13.7576
Long : 100.492222
Geographic Coordinates
UTM
Zone : 47 P
Hemisphere : N
E : 661329.97
N : 1521418.09
Place of artworkInside an ancient Idol exhibition room at Bangkok National Museum

History of production

There is no evidence related to the origin. However, Prei Khmeng and Kampong Preach style associated with Khmer Arts before Mueang Phra Nakhon suggest that it was created around the 13th century B.E.

Production process

Bronze casting

Art

The Bodhisattva is in a standing position with its eyes closed conveying peace. In the center of the head, long hair is put up in a ponytail. There are 4 arms but the right arm at the back is missing. The fingers are bended as if to hold onto something. The upper part of the body is bare and the lower part is with thin shorts without stripes.

Key academic information

This bronze Bodhisattva is evidence of the rise of Mahayana Buddhism in the Northeast since around 13th century B.E. Its style resembles Khmer Arts prior to its MueangPhra Nakhon’s influence. This greatly reflects the relationsip between Thailand and Cambodia and thus it can be questioned whether or not the Mahayana Buddhism came to Thailand through Cambodia.

Its large size also reflects that there are groups of people who were advanced or expert in large bronze casting technology in Northeast, similar to other cultural groups in Southeast Asia.
Notice

Found in Mueang Fai, Nong Hong District, Buri Ram Province together with the bronze Metteyya and the bronze Buddha image.

PeriodHistorical Period
Art periodLopburi, Khmer Art in Thailand
Age13th century B.E.
ReligionBuddhism
SectMahayana
Religion and beliefMahayana Buddhism
Related artwork

1. Bodhisattva Metteyya from Mueang Fai, Nong Hong District, Buri Ram Province

2. Bodhisattva from Ban Tanod, Amphoe Non Sung, Nakhon Ratchasima

3. Bronze sculpture from Khao Play Bud, Prakhonchai District, Buri Ram Province

Type of LicenseAttribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs (CC BY-NC-ND)
RightsPrincess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre
Date of record creation2016-09-30
Record creatorRungroj Thamrungraeng
Bibliography

สุภัทรดิศ ดิศกุล, หม่อมเจ้า. ประติมากรรมขอม. กรุงเทพฯ : กรุงสยามการพิมพ์, 2515.

สุภัทรดิศ ดิศกุล. ศิลปะขอม. กรุงเทพฯ : องค์การค้าของคุรุสภา, 2533.

อุไรศรี วรศะริน และคณะ. ประติมากรรมสำริดชิ้นเอก พบใหม่จากบุรีรัมย์. พระนคร : กรมศิลปากร, 2516.