Artwork Search
Arts in Southeast Asia Database
ArchitectureBanh It: Hill Location
The establishment of the temple complex on the top of the hill was very popular during Binh Dinh period. Several temples of this period, including Banh It and Phouc Loc, follow this convention. The style of the tower Banh It is assigned to Early Binh Dinh period.
ArchitectureBanh It
Banh It complex comprises four buildings, viz., the main tower, the rectangular hall, the so-called inscriptional tower (?) and the gateway. The grouping of these buildings is reminiscent of the complexes at My Son, of My Son A1 style. However, the location of each building here is quite complicated. Whereas the main tower and the rectangular hall are on the top of the hill, the inscriptional tower (?) and the gateway are at the lower sphere.
ArchitecturePediment at Banh It
The main tower of Banh It is decorated with spear-liked pointed arch decorated with brick sculpted motif, typical to Binh Dinh style. At the apex of the arch, there is a Kāla face, reminiscent of the inspiration from Javanese art which became very strong during My Son A1 to Binh Dinh period.
ArchitectureLibrary (?) :Banh It
The rectangular hall with the wagon roof is reminiscent of the so-called “library” in Khmer art. The striking feature of this hall is the brick decoration which is beautified both at the base, the wall and the gable. The rectangular hall with the wagon roof has been continuously popular from My Son A1 to Binh Dinh period. This hall is specifically dated to Binh Dinh because the main tower belongs to this period.
ArchitectureBase of the Library: Banh It
The rectangular hall with the wagon roof is reminiscent of the so-called “library” in Khmer art. The striking feature of this hall is the brick decoration which is beautified both at the base, the wall and the gable. The base of the rectangular hall is ornamented with the row of animals, such a lions and Garudas, in the gesture of supporting the beams. These animals remind us to the statues of animals in the posture of supporting discovered from Thap Mam, now in Danang Museum, typical to Binh Dinh style.
ArchitectureHill Location: Phouc Loc
Phouc Loc is a sole temple of the top of the hill, the popular location for the temple during this period. This hilltop location makes the temple to be the landmark.
ArchitecturePhuoc Loc
Phuoc Loc tower is the sole temple decorated with 5 pilasters. The pilasters are lack of decoration and flute. The central niche is decorated with the typical spear-liked arch. The superstructure of the tower is the superimposing South-Indian-fashioned tiers but the corner miniature towers have not survived nowadays. These characters are typical to Binh Dinh style. The hilltop location of this temple is very popular during this period.
ArchitectureThu Thien
Thu Thien is the sole tower. The wall of the temple comprises 5 pilasters which are very plain and devoid of flute and of motif. The spire comprises the miniature tiers as in South Indian fashion. At the corners of the miniature tiers are the lotus-bud-like miniature temples which is similar to the tower of Canh Tien. Considering from the height of the temple, the pilasters without decoration as well as the multi-layered miniature temple in lotus-bud-liked shape, this temple is dated to the Late Binh Dinh Style.
