Crowned Buddha Statue in Battambang Province During Siamese Control Period

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to study the forms and concepts of making the crowned Buddha statues in Battambang during the period in which it was under Siamese control (1795-1907AD). The statues were presented in Battambang in the 12th century, at least, with Khmer art, Angkor period style. Since then, the Buddha images in Battambang have evolved.  By the time the territory became a part of Siamese sovereignty, the characteristics of Buddha statues were typically similar to those of Maha Chaprapan crowned Buddha statues, the Thai art style in the Rattanakosin period. However, some characteristics are similar to those in Khmer art in the central region. Therefore, this study is conducted by comparing the forms and concepts between the crowned Buddha statues made in Battambang during the Siamese control period, and those statues made in Thai and Khmer art in the same period. As the result, some remarkable points are found, such as the forms, decorative ornaments, the building process, and concepts of making, which are heavily oriented toward the Thai art style.