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ArchitectureSim : Wat Kili
wSim at Wat kili is the most complete example of Chiang Kwang sim in Luang Phra Bang. The sims of Chiang Kwang school of art at Khoun city were all destroyed during the war. This makes it only possible to study the Chiang Kwang school of art in Luang Phra Bang. The sim of Chiang Kwang school of art is very similar to that of Luang Phra Bang in terms of the pediment that has a curvy frame falling down almost to the ground and the “Ma Tang Mai’, a special feature of Lanna art. However, the most diiferent feature is that the pediment of Luang Phra Bang schoolof art has brid-winged partitions, the pediment of Chiang Kwang school of art does not have it at all.
ArchitectureSim : Wat Pak Khan
Sim at Wat Pak Khan is the most complete sim in Lan Chang art of Thai Leu school of art. It has wide supporting posts and the height of the roof at the front is equivalent with the height at the side. Thia Leu sim was popular in Sip Song Punna, which is now in Yunan state in the south of China. The appearance of Thai Leu sim in Luang Phra Bang shows the migratioin of Thai Leu people from Sip Song Punna to find settlements in Luang Phra Bang.
ArchitectureSim : Wat Mai
Sim at Wat Mai has a distinctive roof tiering system. The building is in a rectangular plan that alnost resembles a square one. The top tier is a “Loi” type of tier on top of the main roof. Below is the bird-winged roofs that covers the Palai. Each tier has high supporting poles. At the front, there is “Hor Kwang”, which is a special feature of this sim.
ArchitectureLuang Prabang Palace
Luang Prabang Palace is one of the most important examples of the western-cum-Laotian architecture in Laos. AS the building was constructed during the French colonization, the building was designed in Palladium fashion with the stucco and the pediment in western style. However, the pointed spire, being reminiscent of some royal pavilion in Bangkok, suggests Thai architectural influence. The three-headed elephant depicted in the middle of the tympanum is the kingdom’s emblem and the seven serpents correspond to the name of the kingdom “Sisattanaga”, literary the seven Nagas.
SculptureMirrored Tree at the backside of Sim Wat Xiang Thong
The mirrored mosaic decoration on the outer wall seems to be very popular during in the Luang Prabang school of art during the 20th century A.D. Lots of pavilions at Wat Xiang Thong bear this kind of decoration. The mirrored mosaic is more durable than the mural and also gives the effect of glittering than the mural. So, this technique becomes very popular during this period.
PaintingGolden Painting at the outer wall of Sim Wat Xiang Thong
In Laotian art, nineteenth-century Luang Prabang school, the golden mural was very popular especially for the inner wall of several pavilions. However, the golden mural outer wall at Wat Xiang Thing is a rare case.
SculptureJulamanee: Golden Painting at the inner wall of Sim Wat Xiang Thong
In Lan Chang Art of Luang Phra Bang school around 25 century BE., the golden painting was very popular. It was mostly decorated inside the building. At the front of Chiang Khong temple, there is a picture of gods honouring the very beautiful Chedi Julamanee.
PaintingDvarapala: Golden Painting at the inner wall of Sim Wat Xiang Thong
In Lan Chang Art of Luang Phra Bang school around 25 century BE., the golden painting was very popular. It was mostly decorated inside the building. At the front of Chiang Khong temple, there is a picture of gods honouring the very beautiful Chedi Julamanee. At the side wall of the entrance, there are “gatekeepers”. These keepers hold large Paeonia flowers representing the worship of the “Lord Buddha” who resides in the building. The Paeonia flower is a Chinese flower featuring in Lanna and Lan Chang arts.
