Thonburi Traiphum Manuscripts : Dating by Artistic Styles and Decorative Motifs

Abstract

Three versions of the Thonburi Traiphum manuscript can be found nowadays; Traiphum MS No. 10 and No. 10/ก, are kept at National Library Phra Nakorn in Bangkok and Traiphum MS No. II 650[1] (Berlin Traiphum Manuscript), is located at Museum für Asiatische Kunst, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin. All are remarked within to be created at King Taksin’s will in 1776 CE. However, the artistic styles found in each manuscript are mutually distinct. The result of the examination and analysis of artistic styles and motifs shows that the style found in the Berlin Traiphum Manuscript is close to that of Late Ayudhaya, while the other two are presumably the works of the Early Rattanakosin period. Therefore, Berlin Traiphum Manuscript is likely to be created in 1776 CE according to the inscription while the others were created later in Early Rattanakosin. Additionally, Traiphum No.10 and No.10/ก conceivably are copied from the original Berlin Traiphum Manuscript.