Phra Phuttha Rassami Wat Phothi Sombhorn, Udon Thani : Style Analysis and Dating

Abstract

“Phra Phuttha Rassami” is bronze Buddha statue in the Mara-Vijaya position at Wat Phothi Sombhorn, Udon Thani.  According to history, the daughter of the King of Lan Xang built it as an offering to a temple in Nong Khai.  In year 2460 B.E. Wat Phothi Sombhorn invited Phra Phuttha Rasami from Nong Khai to be enshrined as the principal Buddha image in the ordination hall.  Later, Chao Khun Thamma Chedi gave the name of the Buddha status as Phutta Rassami.  Phra Phutta Rassami has an inscription at the base indicating the year C.S.1065, which corresponds to the year 2246 B.E. and shows the Lan Xang art style.

This article aims to analyze the artistic form of Phra Puttha Rassami and determine its age using art historical research methods to find an answer of whether Phra Phuttha Rassami of Wat Phothi Sombhorn truly reflects the characteristics of Lan Xang art, Vientiane school.

The important characteristics of the Buddha statues of Lan Xang art during the 22nd -23rd Buddhist century are oval-shaped face with a slightly sharp chin, the lotus flower halo decorated with pearls on the top of the Buddha, spiral curls of hair, the eyes were open and narrowed, eyebrows were arched and raised in double lines, The tip of the nose is straight, the lips are thin, the upper lip has a slight groove, the body is rather plump body and flat chest, wearing a robe that is wrapped diagonally, showing both nipples, big fingers, tips of all four fingers are of equal length, the sangkhati is long and reaches the navel.  This group of Buddha statues has a history of creation related to the Lan Xang Kings or dynasty during the 23rd Buddhist century which are found in large numbers in Vientiane, Lao PDR.  Examples of important Buddha images include Phra Chao Ong Tue, Wat Ong Tue Maha Vihan, Wat Inpeng, Vientiane, Lao PDR.  In the later period of bronze Buddha statues, it was popular to decorate the Buddha's halo with gems, for example, the halo of Luang Pho Phra Sai at Wat Pho Chai, Mueang District, Nong Khai Province.

The study results found that the Phra Phuttha Rassami of Wat Phothi Sombhorn displays important Buddhist characteristics of Lan Xang art which are the halo is a large flame decorated with gems, diamonds, and glass of various colors. The eyebrows are arched and raised in double lines.  The tip of the nose is straight, the lips are thin, and the upper lip has a slight groove, tips of all four fingers are of equal length, the body is rather plump body and flat chest, the sangkhati is long and reaches the navel.  This is dated to the beginning of the 23rd Buddhist century, which is consistent with the inscription at the base of Phra Phuttha Rassami in the year 2246 B.E.  Therefore, the Buddha status at  Wat Phothi Sombhorn, Mueang District, Udon Thani Province is a Buddha statue in Lan Xang art, Vientiane style, and is an important Buddha image with artistic value for the people of Udon Thani Province up until the present.