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ArchitecturePitaka Thiek
Pitaka Thiek is the most ancient example of Phyathat in Burmese art. This square temple comprises the thickly walled body supporting the series of sloping roofs. The roofs are quite squat comparing to the elongate ones in Mandalay period. It is difficult to prove whether this temple belongs to the reign of Anawratha or not. However, the style of this temple reveals that this temple is dated to the early period of Pagan Art.
ArchitectureManuha
Manuha is the good example of the image-house or Paṭimāghara in Early Pagan Art. The temple comprises four attached image-houses, including three for sitting Buddha images and one for the reclining Buddha.
ArchitectureNanPaya
Nanpaya is one of the earliest temples in Pagan art. There are several early characteristics including the horseshoe-arched decorated Śikhara spire which is similar to that in Indian art. The lattice window indicates the concept of the “dim interior” which was popular during the early Pagan art. Inside the temple, there are 4 columns supporting the spire. On these columns there are the depictions of Brahma at every side, the most unique character of this temple. The style of the Śikhara as well as the motif are datable to the early Pagan art.
ArchitectureShwezigon
The Stupa comprises the stepped triple bases decorated by terracotta plaques depicting Jatakas. These bases provide the circumambulatory paths as the staircases in every direction. At the corner are the groups of miniature Stupa. The bell-shaped Anda is punctuated be the band and the triangular motifs. The Anda is topped by the rings of Chatravali without any Harmika. The lotus is inserted between Chatravali and the banana-liked bud. The shortness of banana-liked bus is a characteristic of Pagan art. This Stupa became the prototype for other Stupa in Pagan and the later periods. The style of this Stupa corresponds to the historical evidence of the date of construction of this Stupa.
ArchitectureShwesandaw
This stupa is supported by the series of five multi-angled square bases which is beyond the number of the same element of Shwezigon. The bases are punctuated by the staircases at the cardinal directions leading to the circumambulatory paths on the top of every step. The bell-shaped element is quite small as the bases are very high. The square throne on the top of the bell-shaped element is omitted, typical to Burmese stupa . The spire comprises the series of rings (Chatravali) and the lotus-bud-liked pinnacle. As the bell-shaped element is too small, the later Zedi followed the convention of triple bases, as Shwezigon, instead of the series of five.
ArchitectureLawkananda
The stupa composes of triple bases in octagonal plan. Each of them is decorated with panels and punctuated with staircases leading to the circumambulatory path. The bell-shaped element is ornamented with bands in the centre and the triangular patterns at the top, typical to Burmese art. This stupa is categorized to “Pyu-influenced Stupa” because the bell-shaped element is quite elongate. The square throne on the top of the bell-shaped element is omitted, typical to Burmese stupa. The spire comprises the series of rings (Chatravali) and the lotus-bud-liked pinnacle, which is the sharing character in both Pyu-influenced stupa and the pure-Burmese stupa. Pyu-influenced stupa is the group of stupa which co-existed with the Pure-Burmese Stupa during the reign of King Anawratha.
ArchitectureAbeyadana
The dim interior seems to be the most popular concept for the early Pagan art. That is why the lattice window is so popular during this period. The window-niche is beautified with the short leafs on the top of the pediment, characteristic of the period of Early Pagan. The superstructure comprises the series of sloping roofs, typical to the early period of Pagan art, and the Pāla style stupa as the pinnacle. The Pālal styled stupa is characterized by the multi-angled square Harmikā and the Chatravali decorated with the tiny triangle. Abeyadana is the fine example of the Ku or temple of the early Pagan art.
ArchitectureNagayon
The dim interior seems to be the most popular concept for the early Pagan art. That is why the lattice window is so popular during this period. The series of sloping roofs on the transition zone between the body and the spire are also the typical character of the early Pagan period. However, some characters of this temple anticipates the late Pagan art, including the elongate leafs decorating the tympanum. The series of niches decorating vertically at the central portion of the Śikhara is typical to the reign of King Kyanzittha.
