Wat Phanan Choeng Main Hall: Phra Chao Phananchoeng
Plaster with varnish and gilding
Wat Phanan Choeng Main Hall: Phra Chao Phananchoeng
THAILAND, Ayutthaya
Revered by both commoners and royalty, the statue was created 26 years before the foundation of the Ayutthaya Kingdom (circa 1350–1767) and is one of the largest in Thailand. During the time of King Rama IV (reigned 1851–1868), the king ordered its repair and restoration, and also had it gilded.
The Buddha bears characteristics from the Sukhothai Kingdom (circa 1238–1438), with dense, tightly packed curls and a high flame ornament on the head. The figure has broad shoulders and a muscular chest and is seated in half lotus position on a lotus throne while making the bhumisparsa (earth-touching) mudra with the right hand. The fingers of both hands are of equal length, another regional trait.
The distance between the statue and the surrounding pillars is so close that it is thought the building was erected after the statue was first created.
For more details, go to the Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Sculpture St-Z, page 1322.
Cite this article:
author = Hsingyun and Youheng and Lovelock, Yann and Chou, Yuan and Huntington, Susan and Edson, Gary and Neather, Robert,
booktitle = {Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Sculpture St-Z},
pages = 1322,
title = {{Wat Phanan Choeng Main Hall: Phra Chao Phananchoeng}},
volume = 13,
year = {2016}}