With the advent of the modern age all the arts of the past

With the advent of the modern age all the arts of the past have been affected so much that in most cases, both in western and eastern countries, it is impossible to carry on traditional expressions. Our modern economic system no longer permits the production of such fine works. For this reason, more than the masters who created such wonderful works, we understand their great artistic value not to mention their historical value.

Panel design with floral character of the late Bangkok workmanship

Panel design with floral character of the late Bangkok workmanship

This kind of design is more monotonous than the lively lai Kanok ornaments.

The buffalo Torapee attacked by Palee, king of the monkeys

A sence from the Ramayana epic. Hanuman combatting with a royal demon. The posture and gesture of the figures rendered in classic style are very similar to those of classic theatrical characters.

Two monkeys fighting
Although very stylised the Thai designs always have a remarkable vitality.

Side panel if a book-case, formerly used to a keep garments of Ayudhaya period. Although too minute, the design is pure classic. The rhythm of the ornaments is perfectly related to the strong
movement of the two fantastic animals fighting with each other.

The design has already characteristic of a later production, But it is still a fine composition. It represents the buffalo Torapee attacked by Palee, king of the monkeys. The fury of the buffalo shakes the vegetation giving to the conventionalized design the sense of a real scene.

Detail of a panel the book-case of the Bangkok period

Tosakan (Ravana), King of the demons, holding a vase containing the elixir of life with which having restored the lives of the dead Yakshas (demons) resumes the fight against Rama's army. Noticeable is the imposing majestic elephant which strides with great vitality against his master's foes.
War scene, detail A king driving the typical barge-like chariot commonly used by the Thai royalty in state ceremonies. Bangkok workmanship.

Group of sleeping musician-girls

Detail of a panel the book-case of the Bangkok period. The composition representing Prince Siddhartha leaving his wife, Princess Yasodhara and his newly born child to retire to ascetic life, shows two distinct styles, Prince Siddhartha and his wife are drawn in classic style, while the sleeping musicians-girls are treated in the peculiar charming realistic Thai style. The difference in treatment denotes personages of high rank and commoners. Note the finesse of the architectural ornaments.

Specimen from Ayudhaya with a design representing Louis XIV of France and King Aurung Zebe of India.

Specimen from Ayudhaya with a design representing Louis XIV of France and King Aurung Zebe of India. Here the artist had to represent a non-traditional subject with the result a rather 'baroque' composition where the balance of the dark and light values does not correspond to the classic Thai style of the lacquer works. By Comparing this specimen of the Bangkok period. We notice how a well distributed design in relation to masses and details correspond to the ideal of the Thai art.

Side panel of a book-case from Ayudhaya with a design inspired by rice stalks

Book-case of the Bangkok period. Both in later Ayudhaya and Ratanakosin (Bangkok) periods designs for lacquer works became more complex imitating compositions of murals where religious or mythical subject develop uninterruptedly. The episodes superpose one another in a peculiar bird's eye view.




Side panel of a book-case from Ayudhaya with a design inspired by rice stalks which, although maintaining the character of the plant, have been converted into the conventional Thai ornaments. As usual in the lower part of the composition there are stylised large animals while the rice stalks are enlivened by small creatures.

Detail of the two front panels of a book-case showing the Lai Kanok-scroll-type

Detail of the two front panels of a book-case showing the Lai Kanok-scroll-type. All the scrolls end in mythical Kinnaras and Kinnarees (half bird half human beings), demons and other similar figures.

ornaments showing the exquisite finesse of both floral and animal designs

'Too Phra Tamma Wat Serng-Wai' For its finesse of drawing and perfect technical execution, this book-case is considered the best specimen of the Thai lacquer. Instead of the usual long legs, this case has a basement formed by a decoration called 'Kha Singha'- it is a very conventionalised leg of a lion whose paws have become ornaments showing the exquisite finesse of both floral and animal designs. Squirrels, birds and butterflies enliven the composition with realism of the luxurious flora and fuana of the tropics. The illustration can be noted the bold and vital ornaments termed as 'Lai Knok'

Design of panels with groups of mythological begins

A fine drawing of lacquer work of the Bangkok period The design of the standing 'celestial guardian' holding a sword and flowers already bears the characteristics of a late conventionalism.

Design of panels with groups of mythological begins on an ornamental background of the 'Lai Kanok' type compositions with groups of figures like this example belong to a late period, particularly typical in the Bangkok productions.

Design of panels with groups of mythological begins

Small portable box

'Heep Phra Ted'a small portable box containing literature concerning sermons

Specimen of a 'Too Nangsue Suat' or 'Phra Malai'containing books concerning methaphysical matters

Typical book-case

Typical book-case showing the Tripitaka scripts wrapped in 'Kampee' Each Kampee is formed by book treating one subject.

Specimen of a case formerly used for keeping garments, later used as a book-caseThe design represents Garuda (mythical bird) holding two snakes sided by two mythological animalson a background of foliage of the 'Lai Kanok' type. Although fine, the design is too minute.

Design of a side Panel of a book-case showing Chinese influence

Design of a side Panel of a book-case showing Chinese influence
In some lacquer works of the Bangkok period (19th century) Chinese influences are noticeable.
The characteristic of Thai art cannot be blended with other expressions. Accordingly by introducing Chinese peculiarities into a work, its beauty is lost.

Thai Lacquer Works

Thai lacquer works

Among the applied arts made in olden days by the Thai, that of the design in gold leaf
applied over black lacquer, was very important to decorate many objects for religious
purposed and common uses. From the ornaments of small boxes to the decoration of entire
wooden walls, which means from the enrichment of a few square feet, the art of the lacquer design found an extensive application.