Bell-shaped Stupas of Kamphaengphet School: An Amalgam of Sukhothai, Lanna and Ayutthaya Art Styles

Abstract

Kamphaengphet was an important city in the Sukhothai period. After the Sukhothai kingdom merged into the Ayutthaya kingdom, the city remained important as a center connecting Ayutthaya with Lanna. Thus, the art works of Kamphaengphet portray a mixture of Sukhothai, Ayutthaya and Lanna art styles. One significant example is the city’s stupas which are called “the bell-shaped stupas of Kamphaengphet School ” and were built around the 16^th century A.D.

This group of stupas can be further categorised into three groups, as follows :

Group I  Bell-shaped stupas with a mixture of Sukhothai and Ayutthaya styles (the stupa with surrounding lion figures): This category has three tiers of sloping moldings and a square form above the bell-shaped form that is reminiscent of Sukhothai-styled bell-shaped stupas. However, the usage of lions as decorations shows an influence from Ayutthaya.

Group II Bell-shaped stupas with octagonal bases (the typical type of Kamphaengphet): This group shows an amalgam of Sukhothai and Haripunchai-Lanna art styles. Their important characteristics are a multi-tiered octagonal base decorated with large pointed moldings.

Group III Bell-shaped stupas with a mixture of Sukhothai and Lanna art styles (the stupa with a set of Lanna-styled bases): The important features of this group is a three-tiered lotus base supporting a bell-shaped form, derived from Lanna-styled bell-shaped stupas