Buddha Statue in Ayutthaya, 13th to 17th century.

Buddha Statue in Ayutthaya, 13th to 17th century.

This Buddha Statue is crafted around 13th to 17th century in Ayutthaya, and got burned with the capital during the Burmese invasion in 1767. Many of statues’ heads were cut off; however, this one survived. It is now resting in Ayutthaya Historical Park. The Seated Buddha is one of the most common types of Buddha statues in Thailand.

“Buddha images of the Ayutthaya period show more different gestures than the other previous styles.” (Buddha-images.com) They are most likely influenced by Lopburi, U Thong and Sukhothai styles. Influenced by Sukhothai, the face became more oval. Typical of some images are small lines carved above the upper lip and above the eyes. (Buddha-images.com) Buddha statues during the 17th century show little or no smiles at all, symbolizing the wars with neighboring countries and the fall of Ayutthaya. Many of the Ayutthaya style artworks were destroyed during the Burmese invasion in 1767.

Buddha statue is the symbol of the Enlightened One, Buddha. Buddhism is Thailand’s official religion for about two thousand years now. In every household, we would have at least one Buddha statue to pray. So Buddha statue is like the middle man who connects humans to the divines.