| -> | | | | groups had an influence on Thai art. |
| The Museum of Buddhist Art in Bangkok is reputed | | | | Sukhothai art (13th - 15th centuries) |
| to have the biggest collection of Buddha statues, | | | | Art flourished in the Sukhothai Kingdom under the |
| sculptures and figurines based on Buddhist art work | | | | reign of King Ramkhamhaeng. Classic Sukhothai art |
| from kingdoms dating back to the 6th century AD. | | | | soon emerged from the Khmer influence and |
| The exhibits reflect the cultural heritage of the | | | | established its unique style. |
| various kingdoms in Thailand and neighboring | | | | Ayuthaya art (1350 - 1767) |
| kingdoms as well. | | | | The exhibits on Ayuthaya art in the Museum of |
| Visitors to the Museum of Buddhist Art are usually | | | | Buddhist Art represents the longest period in Thai art. |
| advised to start their tour in an annex to the main | | | | Pre-Ayuthaya art was a combination of Khmer art of |
| building that houses the Kuan Yin Palace and Museum | | | | the Bayon period (the Bayon temples in Cambodia) |
| which displays statues of Kuan Yin, the Goddess of | | | | and Dvaravati art, a mixture which was known as U |
| Mercy. The courtyard outside this museum has six | | | | Thong Art. |
| miniature wooden palaces housing Chinese deities. | | | | The establishment of Ayuthaya produced a blend of |
| The main theme of the Museum of Buddhist Art, | | | | Khmer and Sukhothai styles which gradually evolved |
| however, is housed in eight rooms upstairs in the | | | | into its own distinctive character in the 16th century. |
| main building displaying Buddha statues, sculptures and | | | | Lanna art (13th - 20th centuries) |
| figurines from the different kingdoms that had an | | | | The Lanna kingdom (Land of a Million Fields) was |
| impact on Thai art and culture. | | | | established by King Mengrai in northern Thailand in |
| The various schools of Buddhist art of each era | | | | 1296. Pure Lanna art developed when the kingdom |
| blended with the previous and added its distinct | | | | was independent. Lanna came under Burmese rule |
| touch. Detailed explanations are provided for the | | | | and later under Thai rule. The Buddha statues during |
| Buddha statues, their characteristics, different | | | | these periods had their subtle differences. |
| postures and subtle variations in the folds of the | | | | Lan Xang art (14th - 18th centuries) |
| robes. | | | | The Lan Xang kingdom (Land of a Million Elephants) |
| The museum is a useful source of knowledge for the | | | | was founded by King Fah Ngum in the 14th century |
| scholar of Buddhist art and Buddha sculptures. The | | | | after the fall of Sukhothai. The kingdom covered |
| casual visitor, seeking an overview of an important | | | | present day Laos and parts of northeastern Thailand. |
| aspect of Thai culture, would find this museum | | | | King Fah Ngum made Buddhism the state religion and |
| interesting as well. | | | | so began an art form that also left its mark on |
| Buddhist art from the various kingdoms displayed in | | | | Buddhist art. |
| the Museum of Buddhist Art | | | | Thonburi art (1767 - 1782) |
| Dvaravati art (6th - 11th centuries AD) | | | | Thonburi art had a brief period as the kingdom lasted |
| Dvaravati art is based on the culture of the United | | | | for only 15 years. |
| Kingdom of Dvaravati in Nakhon Phahom, Central | | | | Rattanakosin art (1782 - present) |
| Thailand established by the Mon from Burma. The | | | | What followed was Rattanakosin art of the modern |
| Buddhist art work of this period is based on the | | | | Bangkok era. The Buddha statues and sculptures |
| Southern India and Sri Lanka models. | | | | during the reign of the Chakri Kings developed a |
| Srivijaya art (7th - 14th centuries) | | | | distinct identity of their own. |
| The Srivijaya kingdom covered Sumatra, Java, the | | | | The other eight rooms in the Museum of Buddhist |
| Malay Peninsula and Southern Thailand, right up to | | | | Art are not directly related to the central theme but |
| Surat Thani and Nakhon Sri Thammarat. The art form | | | | are equally interesting. These cover artifacts from |
| from this era had a rich mix of Indian, Khmer, Sri | | | | the pre-historic Ban Chiang culture, Yao paintings, |
| Lanka, Java and Sumatra cultures. | | | | stone sculptures. |
| Khmer art (11th - 19th centuries) | | | | An unusual set of exhibits in this museum is the room |
| From 6th - 14th centuries, the Khmer Empire in | | | | displaying statues of Jesus Christ and Mother Mary, a |
| Cambodia ruled over Laos and northeastern Thailand | | | | reflection of the religious tolerance in Buddhist |
| (Isarn). Khmer art was to have an enduring legacy on | | | | society. |
| Buddhist art work for centuries to come. | | | | The Museum of Buddhist Art embodies not just the |
| Burmese art (11th - 19th centuries) | | | | art and culture evolved for more than a millennium |
| Burmese art evolved from the various ethnic groups | | | | through the rise and fall of several kingdoms. It |
| in the ancient Burmese kingdom of Pagan. The | | | | symbolizes the philosophy of moderation and |
| Burmese, Mon, Arakan, Tai-yai kingdoms developed | | | | tolerance, values that serve as a beacon of light in |
| Buddhist art during their respective reigns. All these | | | | these troubled times. |