NW: Indo-Pakistan subcontinent

SE & E: China, Laos & Thailand

Irrawaddy & other rivers form a delta in the
south; Bay of Bengal & the Indian Ocean
Indian culture & Buddhism entered Burma via
the Bay of Bengal
Land route from India to China passing
through Burma
Rich in brick, timber(teak), ores, & precious
stones
Tropical climate with SW monsoon rains in
summer

4 main historical periods: pre-Pagan (1st cent

B.C.), Pagan, post-Pagan, & RangoonMandalay (18th-19th cent) within which various
settlements (Chinese, Shans, Mongols, Thais,
Laotians & Khmers) were established
Capital moved from Pagan to Ava to Pegu,
then to Mandalay

Art & architecture are a reflection of Buddhist

devotion

Bldgs: religious in character

Basic stupa (zedi, later, pagoda) form was
massive brick cylindrical constn. built upon a
plinth of 3 or 5 terraces; basic temple form:
square in plan with brick walls enclosing
narrow, vaulted corridors embracing a solid
masonry core which had centrally placed
niches on each side to accommodate Buddha
statues; walls bore frescoes & bas reliefs: the
central core rose in receding storeys & was
crowned with a tapering silkhara-type finial of
Orrisan-Indian character
Use of true arch with radiating voussoirs to
form semicircular pointed barrel vaults

Ananda Temple, Pagan

Shwe Dagon Pagoda, Rangoon

Region covers the areas of the Mekong river

delta
S: China Sea; W: Gulf of Siam; E: Moi
highlands; N: Mountains of central Laos
Prin. bldg. mats: timber, laterite, sandstone &
terra-cotta brick
Tropical (humid heat) with SW monsoon (rain
& wind)

Funanese period (3-6th cent A.D.)

: small states were founded according to
Chinese tradition
Later Funanese & early Khmer period (7-8th
cent)
: political wars & confusion
Early classical Khmer period(9 th cent)
: architecture had a primordial rolebuilding
of the 1st city of Angkor, Bakong (1st stone
temple in the grand style with the introduction
of an elaborate system which was not only an
integral part of architectural schemes but a
vital element in the economic & social life of
the nation

Transitional classical Khmer period(1011cent) : saw an interlude of dynastic

quarrels & the creation of other capital cities
Classical Khmer Period (12-13th cent)
: represented a hundred years of pomp &
glory before the gradual decline; bldg. of the
temple city of Angkor Wat & Angkor Thom by
Suryavarman II; rebldg. of Angkor Thom by
Jayavarman VII (not only a mystic & a
Mahayana Buddhist but also had great
military powers)

Pre-Khmer era: indigenous animistic beliefs

Hinduism predominated with Mahayana
Buddhism as a subordinate religion
13th cent: conversion to Theravada Buddhism

* Theravada Buddhism preached the virtues of

simplicity & rejected the god-king image

Grandeur of conception
Brilliant landscaping
Unsurpassed town planning in a strictly
formal sense
Exuberant decoration on a grandiose scale
but of exquisite refinement
Bldg. technique remained unsophisticated
(stone was used like wood)

Stone walls were often reinforced with timber

beams inserted in hollowed-out centers
(when the wood rotted, the stones blocks fell)
Corbelled vaulting spanning small spaces
No mortar was used

Bakong Temple, Rolous

Ta Keo Temple
City of Angkor Wat
Angkor Thom
Bayon, Angkor Thom

NW & W: Burma
NE & E: Laos & Cambodia
Rich in durable, decorative timbers e.g. teak
& ebony suitable for all types of construction
work
Brick- also prin. bldg. mat
Stone- little used except for foundation
Tropical climate with monsoon rains & winds

14th cent: Ayudha, the capital was destroyed

by the Burmese; fell briefly Burmese hands
Occupied by the Japanese during WW II
Maintained considerable independence
throughout history
Always suspicious of European intentions &
managed to evade colonialist rule
Buddhism came early via Celyon & Burma
superimposed upon indigenous animism;
prevailing influence on art & architecture for
500 yrs

Reflects Buddhist influence

Use of stone instead of traditional brick &
rubble
Interiors: sculpture & mural painting
Ornamentation: Chinese characters
Surfaces finished with porcelain tiles
Walls: white, stuccoed brick

Roofs: highly colored, glazed tiles; multi-level

overlapping roofs
Gable & barge boards decorated with HinduAngkor iconography e.g. nagas; Vishnu in a
garuda; Siva on a bull
Door & window shutters: of carved wood
lacquered in black & gold & inlaid with
motherof-pearl themes of guardian
divinities, enchanted forests, ferns & flowers,
& still life

Wat Kukut Temple, Lempun

Wat Mahadhatu Temple, Lopburi
Wat Jet Yot Temple, near Chiangmai
Royal Palace, Bangkok
Temple of the Dawn, Bangkok

Archipelago stretching from the south of

Thailand, the Phils. to the west of New Guinea
Volcanic rock (solidified lava) used
extensively
Abundant timber: especially used for houses
Tropical climate

Under Indian cultural & religious influence,

society divided between court & peasantry
Hindu & Buddhist influences left impressive
archl evidence
Moslem influence gained ground
Colonial presence (Port., Dutch, Brit., etc.) in
the later part prior to independence

2 interacting movements molded the

character of Indonesian art & architecture:
1- ancient indigenous peasant culture of
animistic faith & 2- Hindu-Buddhist beliefs
Islam also from India spread & later ousted
other beliefs

Solid stone walls, corbelled arches & no loadbearing cols.: consummated in the stupa of
Borobudor
long house traditional dwelling generally
raised on stilts & often sheltering an entire
clan; carved & decorated wooden pillars;
facades adorned with colored patterns of
intertwined flowers; inward sloping ridge
(saddle-back) roofs with high gables & each
side decorated with buffalo horns

Stupas @ Borobudor, central Java