THE KINGDOM OF SIAM
THE ART OF CENTRAL THAILAND, 1350-1800

Asian Art Museum, San Francisco: February 18 - May 8, 2005

While most aspects of the art and culture of China, Japan, and India have been extensively studied, less research exists on the cultural contributions of Southeast Asia. The Kingdom of Siam, organized by the Asian Art Museum in conjunction with the National Museums of Thailand, sheds light on a one of the region’s greatest, but least known, cultures, that of Ayutthaya (1351–1767, an era equivalent to the period from the Black Death almost to the French Revolution in Europe). Today, only a few artworks and buildings (in ruins or heavily restored) survive, pointing to the challenges that have faced scholars in trying to piece together the story of the Ayutthaya period. The Kingdom of Siam will provide visitors with the unique opportunity to see some of the finest surviving artworks of this enigmatic culture.


INTRODUCTION | REVIEW


Seated Buddha


Face of a Buddha

Head of a Buddha

Walking Buddha

Pediment from a miniature
tower

Crown

Relief of stupa and
worshippers

Doors with carved
guardians

Finial of a temple
tower

Flame from the head
of a Buddha

Standing Buddha

A Hindu deity

Head of an image of
Shiva

Seated Buddha

Seated Buddha

Manuscript chest

Cabinet

Gable decoration
with Vishnu

Section of a door

Manuscript cabinet

Cabinet

Scene from the lives
of the Buddha

Indian textile

Head of a Buddha

Wat Ratchaburana

Wat Mahathat

Wat Phra Si Sanphet

 

all text & images © Asian Art Museum