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ArchitectureSaranrom Palace
Showing architectural characteristics of the Classicism, Saranrom Palace is a complex of 4 buildings constructed to a rectangular plan with a central court. Located in the west, the main building was built to an E-shaped plan; and its façade is elegantly decorated. The west building has one entrance porch at the north and south ends, as well as a central entrance porch. The pediments of the northern and southern porches are triangular-shaped just like those of Greek temples, but they are decorated with coronet emblems. The arched central pediment is adorned with an emblem depicting a tiered crown on a three-headed elephant flanked by a Gajasimha and lion. These pediments are supported by Corinthian columns located on the verandas linked by connecting annexes which are open galleries. The buildings have Palladian windows. The above-mentioned characteristics belong to the archetype of Classic-Paladian architecture in the reign of King Rama V.
SculpturePhra Mahapichai Ratcharot
The lower part of the royal chariot contains 4 wheels, the front or prow of the chariot is decorated with Naga’s head and flame motifs, and the stern in the rear is adorned with Naga’s tail and flame motifs. The central part of the royal chariot contains superimposed pedestals with Thepphanom figurines above which a small pavilion with multi-tiered pointed roof is enshrined. Curtains with tassels hang down along the four indented poles. The pavilion’s base is carved in traditional Thai patterns featuring floral and flame patterns, notched and trimmed leaf patterns, and deities performing the Añjali Mudrā. The whole components of the pavilion with multi-tiered pointed roof are gilded and decorated with colored-glass mosaics.
ArchitecturePhra Maha Chedi Si Ratchakan
Phra Maha Chedi Sisanphetchadayan, Phra Maha Chedi Dilokthammakaroknitan and Phra Maha Chedi Munibatborikhan are all Chedi Songkhrueang of redented Chedi on a redented tiered pedestal which achieved its popularity during the reign of King Rama 3 with some distinctive artistic traits of those of the late Ayutthaya period as follows: the lower architectural elements include multi-tiered pedestals with lion-legged corners (Than Singha or lion bases) and Bua Khlum or lotus petal mouldings. The Gharbhaya (hemispherical domes) in shape of a bell with four-redented corners, and superimposed lotus petal mouldings, conical spires, single bead mouldings, and upmost conical spires. All of the architectural elements are adorned with glazed porcelain and pottery with different patterns. Phra Maha Chedi Sisanphetchadayan is ornamented with green glazed pottery, Phra Maha Chedi Dilokthammakaroknitan is decorated with white glazed porcelain, and Phra Maha Chedi Munibatborikhan is adorned with yellow glazed pottery. The Chedi erected by King Rama IV ทรงสร้าง a redented Chedi, decorated with deep blue glazed porcelain. This type of Chedi had been popular since the mid-Ayutthaya period onwards.
Architecturethe ordination hall of Wat Phrachetuphon Wimonmangkhararam
The Ubosot is a masonry building in traditional Thai style. Its pediment is decorated with traditional Thai roof finials, gilded and ornamented with glass mosaics. The building has square masonry supporting columns without lotus caapital. The boundary wall’s exterior framings surrounding the Ubosot are decorated with marble bas-relief sculptures depicting Ramayana or Rammakian. The doors’ exterior panels are decorated with pearl inlay depicting figures of character in Rammakian, while the interior panels are decorated with lacquer works depicting fans of rank for Phra Rachakhana, Phra Khru Sanyabat and Phra Khru Thananukrom belonging to the Gamavasi and the Arannavasi sections from both pronvinces and bangkok. The mural painting of the Ubosot is painted: the panels above the interior window casings depict Mahosadha pandit or Mahā Ummagga Jātaka, the walls between door and window casings display the stories of the top disciples, and the interior window panels are decorated with lacquered position seals of the monk leaders in the cities and in the provinces during the reign of King Rama III. The exterior window panels are carved in Kaeochingduang patterns or overlapping circles and lozenge flowers.
SculptureReclining Buddha
The Buddha lies on his right side or Sihasaiyat. His right hand supports his head supported by a square pillow ornamented with Chinese floral motifs. The Image shows Rattanakosin artistic characteristics, that is, a calm face, eyes looking down towards the floor, arched eyebrows, thin lips, long ears, small ringlet hair curls, an Uṣṇīṣa, and a flame-shaped aureole. Also, the Buddha wears a thin, plain monastic robe along his left arm while exposing his right shoulder. The Sanghati or uppergarment covers his left shoulder along to his navel, and the hem of the uppergarment falls in undulating folds. The ankle-length Antaravasaka lower garment has a front pleat-fold, and the strap of the belt is shown.Both feet of the Buddha is decorated with pearl-inlaid chakra and 108 auspicious illustration motifs. The 180 auspicious illustrations can be categorized as follows: 1. Symbols of fortune and abundance, i.e. Purna-ghata or water pots, twin fish, Swastika, gem garlands, and lotus. 2. Regalia of kings and Cakravartin; for instance, 7 Ratnas, royal regalia, thrones, royal vehicles, etc. 3. Symbols of Loka or spheres according to the Buddhist cosmology; for example, Mount Meru, the Cosmic Ocean, the 4 dvīpas, Kāñcanaparvata or the seven mountains surrounded Mount Meru, the Himavanta Forest, etc.
SculptureRoyal Emblems of the Thai Kings
Each pavilion is made of gilded metal decorated with glass. The open pavilions have redented columns on each corner which support the pointed roof. Each column of the pavilions’ are adorned with Thepphanom motifs or Devatas performing the Añjali Mudrā hand gesture, while the multi-tiered pedestals decorated with rows of gilded Thepphanom figurines.The northern pavilion houses the Royal Emblems of King Rama I-III as follows: the Royal emblem of King Rama I is a tiered crown without ear decoration; the Royal emblem of King Rama II is Garuda seizing Nāga; and the Royal emblem of King Rama III is a celestial palace. One of the pavilion in the south houses the Royal Emblems of King Rama IV which is a tiered crown with ear decorations and the other one enshrines King Rama V’s Royal Emblem, namely Phra Kiao or a coronet. The pavilion in the northeast houses 4 Royal emblems as follows: the Royal Emblem of King Rama VI is a Vajira or thunderbolt; the Royal Emblem of King Rama VII is 3 arrows named Phrasaengson Phrommat, Phrasaengson Pralaiwat, and Phrasaengson Akhaniwat. Above the arrow rack, the Emblem of the Royal House of Chakri is located under the Great Crown of Victory; the Royal Emblem of King Rama VIII is a deity seated on a lotus throne in Lalitasana pose; and The Royal Emblem of King Rama IX is the Atthathit Uthumphonratcha-at Royal Throne with an Unalom symbol enclosed by a Chakra and its rays of light. Nophapadon Maha Saweta Chatra or the White Nine-tiered Umbrella is over the throne. These Royal Emblems are housed in the pavilions located on a marble base decorated with bronze elephant sculptures which represent the Royal white elephants and auspicious elephants of each king.
ArchitectureWat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram
The Ubosot of Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram is a masonry traditional building with wooden and glazed terra-cotta tiled roof. It has a roof composed of two superimposed tiers, and the pediments are decorated with a wooden gable bearing a gilded figure of Narayana on a Garuda decorated with glass mosaics. The roof is also adorned with traditional Thai roof finials, and the redented roof-supporting columns are gilded and decorated with glass mosaics. The capitals of the columns are decorated with pointed, superimposed lotus petals. Also, the roof eave is supported by brackets. The exterior wall of the Ubosot is gilded and decorated with a colored glass mosaics in lotus bud motifs.In the Ubosot, the Emerald Buddha is housed on a grand multi-tiered pedestal in front of which are several important Buddha Images, i.e. Phra Putthayotfachulalok, Phra Putthaloetla, Phra Samphutthaphanni, etc. Mural paintings displayed on the interior wall depict Tribhumi, Buddha’s life story, the royal parade, and the royal barge procession. Other significant buildings of the temple are as follows: in the north of the Ubosot, Phra Sriratana Chedi is erected on a tiered supporting base. The bell-shaped Chedi replicates the original Chedi at Wat Phrasisanphet in Ayutthaya Province. The Chedi is fully ornamented with golden tiles. Next to the Chedi, is Phra Mondop where Tipiṭaka or the Buddhist scriptures are kept. The building with a square plan has a multi-tiered conical roof with a spire on top. Its doors feature pearl-inlaid work. Dvarapala Yakṣa sculptures stand in front of the building, and the step entrance are flanked by figures of Nāgas with human’s face. In the same area, the Royal Pantheon, a four-porched building with a multi-tiered roof and a stupa on top, is situated. The four pediments are decorated with royal emblems of King Rama I to King Rama IV. The window panels are adorned with royal emblems of King Rama I to King Rama V. The Royal Pantheon houses statues of the previous kings of the Rattanakosin Era.
PaintingMural Paintings Depicting Ramayana
The mural paintings show a combination of traditional and modern painting techniques as follows: the traditional painting techniques are demonstrated through the main characters’ dresses are similar to those in the Masked dance drama, they are showing the same dance movements, and the characters’ adornments are gilded. The modern painting techniques include the use of horizon lines and perspective, imitation of real buildings such as palaces in the Grand Palace, and depiction of real landscapes. In addition, the paintings also show ways of life of people in the Thai Royal Court and ordinary Thai people and humor through the supporting characters. There are 178 painting panels in total; and each painting comes with verse of Ramayana poetry on the lower part of the panels, 224 verses in total.
