Dvaravati art is a form of artistic work originating from Mon. Dvaravati flourished from the

Dvaravati The Dvaravati ( th, ทวารวดี ; ) was an ancient Mon kingdom from the 7th century to the 11th century that was located in the region now known as central Thailand. It was described by the Chinese pilgrim in the middle of the 7th ce ...

Mon ancient artifacts are in present-day Thailand and Burma, Mon states to the west in southern Myanmar (Burma) and with the Mon state in northern Thailand. Dvaravati experienced political domination by neighbouring peoples on three occasions: in the 10th century, when the Burmese conquered the Mon state of Thaton west of the Tenasserim Yoma; from the 11th to the 13th century, when the Khmer Empire (Cambodia) arose in the east; and finally, in the late 13th century, when Dvaravati was absorbed by the Thai empire.

History

Thailand, Ku Bua, (

culture), 650-700 C.E. Sculpture with influences from India. Three musicians in right are playing (from center) a 5-stringed lute, cymbals, a tube zither or bar zither with gourd resonator. Dvaravati art came into form around the 6th century by the Mon people, Mon communities as part of numerous minor kingdoms that existed in Thailand. Surrounding geography proved treacherous for travel and thus provided a fair amount of isolation for the individual kingdoms. Isolation enabled development of a highly sophisticated and distinct Mon-Dvaravati style.

Influence

Dvaravati itself was heavily influenced by

Indian Indian or Indians may refer to: Peoples South Asia * Indian people, people of Indian nationality, or people who have an Indian ancestor ** Non-resident Indian, a citizen of India who has temporarily emigrated to another country * South Asia ...

culture though the process of cultural diffusion over several centuries starting from the Christian 5th century, and played an important role in introducing Mahayana Buddhism and particularly

Buddhist art Buddhist art is visual art produced in the context of Buddhism. It includes depictions of Gautama Buddha and other Buddhas and bodhisattvas, notable Buddhist figures both historical and mythical, narrative scenes from their lives, mandalas, and ...

to the region.Higham, C., 2014, Early Mainland Southeast Asia, Bangkok: River Books Co., Ltd.,

Architecture

Archaeological research and restoration have indicated that Buddhist monuments of the Dvaravati style exhibited contemporary art of

Gupta Gupta () is a common surname or last name of Indian origin. It is based on the Sanskrit word गोप्तृ ''goptṛ'', which means 'guardian' or 'protector'. According to historian R. C. Majumdar, the surname ''Gupta'' was adopted by se ...

temple-architecture with many constructed with open-air structures. Chief among the architecture is the ''

stupa A stupa ( sa, स्तूप, lit=heap, ) is a mound-like or hemispherical structure containing relics (such as ''śarīra'' – typically the remains of Buddhist monks or nuns) that is used as a place of meditation. In Buddhism, circumamb ...

'' style architecture. There are four major categories: #chedi with terrace in each story # stupa with a square base ::The central part of this is pointed in a finial way. #stupa with a square base and a central part ::This form is shaped in an inverted alms-bowl. This form has numerous superimposed flat rings with a bulb terminal. Inspired by

Mahayana Buddhism ''Mahāyāna'' (; "Great Vehicle") is a term for a broad group of Buddhist traditions, texts, philosophies, and practices. Mahāyāna Buddhism developed in India (c. 1st century BCE onwards) and is considered one of the three main existing bra ...

. #stupa with a square base and 5 terraces. ::The lowest is the biggest terrace while the smallest is the top terrace. Each terrace has 3 niches in each of the four direction. Inside these 3 niches stand Buddha images. The temple complex at

Wat Phra That Hariphunchai Wat Phra That Hariphunchai ( th, วัดพระธาตุหริภุญชัย) is a Buddhist temple (''wat'') in Lamphun, Thailand. The temple's origins date from the 11th century but the central stupa is thought to originate in the ...

, dating to the 9th and 11th centuries, is a pristine example of Dvaravati architecture.

Phra Pathommachedi Phra Pathommachedi or Phra Pathom Chedi ( th, พระปฐมเจดีย์) is a Buddhist stupa in Thailand. The stupa is located in the Wat Phra Pathommachedi Ratcha Wora Maha Wihan ( th, วัดพระปฐมเจดีย์� ...

is a wat dating to the 12th century that exemplifies the architecture.

Art

Various pottery excavated from former Dvaravati sites in central Thailand exhibit the sophistication and complexity of Dvaravati art. Many Buddha statues were created with Dvaravati style. Some Buddha statues have

mudra A mudra (; sa, मुद्रा, , "seal", "mark", or "gesture"; ,) is a symbolic or ritual gesture or pose in Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism. While some mudras involve the entire body, most are performed with the hands and fingers. As wel ...

s (hand positions) and others have katakahasta mudra (fingers folded down into palms, suggesting if it is holding something), both of which have evolved before 800 CE. Buddha statues are common artefacts.

Pottery

There are various kinds of Dvaravati pottery. * Dish on stand; ::These pots often have a polished reddish-brown colour with red or white alternating stripes. *Carinated pot ::these pots come in a variety of colours such as red, orange, brown, and black, although the top part of these vessels are plain. *Shallow cup ::These cups are used as lamps. They are made with a medium texture to a brown and gray finish. Most are handmade. *Spouted bowl ::These bowls are used as candles and often are coarse in texture with a black brown or shiny black in colour. *Globular pot *Jar with spout ::There are two variations ::: :::

Museums

Artifacts have been collected over the years. Many pristine examples of artifacts can be found in Thai museums such as the Phra Pathommachedi National Museum in

Nakhon Pathom Nakhon Pathom ( th, นครปฐม, ) is a city (''thesaban nakhon'') in central Thailand, the former capital of Nakhon Pathom province. One of the most important landmarks is the giant Phra Pathommachedi. The city is also home to Thailand's ...

city and the Prachinburi National Museum in

Prachinburi Prachinburi ( th, ปราจีนบุรี, , ) is a town (''thesaban mueang'') in central Thailand, capital of Prachinburi Province. It covers the entire tambon Na Mueang of the Mueang Prachinburi District (city district). As of 2000, the ...

, Prachinburi, Thailand.

Gallery

Plaque with Standing Buddha.jpg, Gold plaque with Standing Buddha Head of Krishna DP309912.jpg, Head of Krishna Head of a Male Figure.jpg, Head of a Male Figure Head of a Male Deity.jpg, Head of a Male Deity Bronze standing Buddha, Thailand, Mon Dvaravati style, 7th-8th century, HAA.JPG, Bronze standing Buddha