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ArchitectureWat Saen Stupa
This stupa is of genuine Lan Chang style. It consists of Bua Khao prom base that has continuously curving lion’ feets. This was inherited from Lion base (Singha base) in the middle Ayutthaya. The middle element is removed and the inverted and the overturned lotus bases meet each other. These lotus bases also flicking up to sooth witg the outer line of the base. The middle part is the angled lotus with a soothing outer line. This angled lotus is a distinctive feature of stupa in Lan Chang art appearing both in Luang Phra Bang and Vientiane schools of art.
ArchitecturePu Si Stupa
This stupa has “angled lotus” as an important aspect following Lan Chnag style. However, the plain lotus base is more connected to the stupas of Lanna influence as shown in Wat Ar Pai and Wat Meun Na in Luang Phra Bang as well. The stupa in a redented square base is a common plan for stupa in Lan Chang.
ArchitectureCho Fa: Wat Xiang Thong
Sim at Wat Xian Thong is the most complete sim in Lan Chang art of Luang Phra Bang school of art. At the ridge of the roof, there is a gable apex or the copy of Meru mouth. This symbilises that sim is the center of the universe surrounded by 7 Suttaboribhan mountains of different heights. At the edge, there is a universal mountain and at the bottom, there is fish ti represent the ocean. Such representation of Meru always appears in paintings both in Myanmese and Thai arts. This may be the model of the gable apex in Lan Chang art.
ArchitectureSim’s Gateway : Wat Xiang Thong
Sim at Wat Xian Thong is the most complete sim in Lan Chang art of Luang Phra Bang school of art. The interior decoration is very beautiful, being decorated with Kham pattern. At the front wall, there is a picture of gods paying respect to a chedi, which may be Chulamanee on the heaven. The sim’s gateway has the characteristics of Lan Chang that share many characteristics with Lanna art including the gate pole is decorated in three parts: high arch tiles, low arch tiles and the flower. The top of the Prasat is a tier of a large sloping roof topped with many tiers of lotus flower shape elements.
ArchitectureFuneral Urn Storage : Wat Xiang Thong
Funeral urn storage is the latest type pf building at Wat Xiang Thong. It was built to store the ashes and the royal chariot. This is the reason why the front wall consists of wooden pieces so that it is easy to reassemble when the royal charioy needs to be used. The front wall is craved with secral stories from Ramayana such as Srida and the fire, Raman fighting the giants, Tossakan fighting Chadayu bird and the fall of Tossakan. These were carved by “Piertan” who was the royal craftman in the late 25 to the early 26 century. This craftman had a unique artistic characteristic that has become the present Laotian school of art in that the cravings are very real following the realism, but wear the traditional ornaments. Also, the carvings are in the mist of Kanok pattern leaving no blank space.
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 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.
SculptureBronze Base of the Buddha Image
In 22-24 centuries BE., Buddha Images in Lanchang were usually built with high bases with elaborated lotus wire. The base is made of bronze. It is composed of lion base and the foot of the lion is an arc that is continuously connected. This characteristic is similar to the one of Mid-Ayutthaya art. Next to the base appears the overturned lotus and the wood with the pattern of Look gaew ok gai. Next is the upturned lotus connected with the overturned one to soften the upper layer of wood and to show the curve of the base. The curve is the important aesthetics of lotus wires in Lanchang art.
