Thai Lions

Thai Lions

ESTATELIONS is very proud to be able to offer its customers outstanding replicas of the guardian lions of the War Phra Kaew temple in Bangkok. Hand-cast in bronze exclusively for ESTATELIONS by artists in the Chiang Mai region of northern Thailand, these beautiful animals are almost life-sized at up to 40 inches tall. While the originals guard the chapel of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha next to the Thai Royal Palace, these replica lions would look wonderful either guarding your front door or even just sitting in your back garden.

The Buddhist Art of Thailand

Buddhism reached Thailand from India in the first few centuries AD, long before the Thais moved into the region and when the country was still inhabited by an ethnic group known as the Mons. In fact, the earliest sculptures found in Thailand are Indian imports, both Hindu and Buddhist, which are likely to have served as models for local craftsmen. A unique Mon style soon developed however, and it was through the Mons that the Thais, who migrated from south-west China in the 7^th century, were to later acquire their ideas of Buddhist art and religion.

Initially, the type of Buddhism most popular in Thailand was Mahayana which, like the Buddhism practiced in China, contains a pantheon of bodhisattvas and Buddhist saints who can help believers escape the cycle of existence. The rise of Sukhothai as a Thai state in the 13^th century however, saw Thailand turn towards Theravada Buddhism which had its base in Sri Lanka. This—more conservative—strand of Buddhism places a much greater emphasis on ancient texts than the supernatural, noting that it may take many lifetimes for a believer to reach nirvana. Artists too are encouraged to respect traditional restrictions on representing the Buddha who is described in the texts as having arms like an elephant’s trunk and fingers of equal length. In particular, the Buddha may only be depicted in four positions: walking, reclining, sitting or standing. But while images of the Buddha in Thailand may perhaps show less variety than in China or Tibet, Thai artists more than make up for the restrictions with an emphasis on grace and charm. The walking Buddha of Sukhothai for example, is regarded as one of the most important contributions to the evolution of Buddhist iconography.

Thai Artistic Periods

Thai art has been divided into a number of periods corresponding to the kingdoms that ruled the area at the time:

· Dvaravati, 7th–13th centuries

· Srivijaya, 8th–13th centuries

· Khmer–Lopburi, 7th–14th centuries

· Sukhothai, 13th–15th centuries

· Lanna, 11th–18th centuries

· Ayutthaya, 14th–18th centuries

· Ratanakosin, after 1782

The guardian lions on which our replicas are based date from the Ratanokosin—or Bangkok—period. After the Burmese had sacked Ayutthaya in 1767, the capital was re-established in Bangkok. To give the new capital legitimacy, statues were brought to the city from abandoned temple and rededicated as objects of veneration. In contrast to previous periods however, the Ratanakosin period saw little artistic innovation. During the early reigns (Rama 1 to Rama III) few new images were made and artists tended to copy the style of the preceding Ayutthaya period. Bronze-casting techniques remained unchanged, as did wood-carving and stucco. Chinese stone statues were imported in large numbers and were used to decorate temples in Thonburi and Bangkok. New stone statues, such as the lions used to guard the temple, were rare.

The Lions of the Wat Phra Kaew

The Thai bronze lions that we sell were cast in a small run for ESTATELIONS from models of the twelve stone temple lions which stand guard at the entrances to the Wat Phra Kaew, the uposoth, or temple, of the Emerald Buddha. Wat Phra Kaew was the first permanent structure built in Bangkok by King Rama I in 1782, and is home to a sacred Buddha image known as Phra Kaeo Morakot, the Emerald Buddha.

Despite its name, The Emerald Buddha is actually made of green jasper, a variety of jade, and is only about 65 centimeters tall. Surrounded with a glass case, it rests on a multi-tiered gold pedestal within the ornate temple. Its robes are changed three times a year by the King of Thailand.

The Emerald Buddha itself has an fascinating history. According to monks at the temple, in 1434 AD lightning struck a chedi in Chiang Rai, in northern Thailand. The structure split open, revealing a stucco Buddha image concealed inside. The image was taken to the local monastery where the abbot decided to clean it. Chipping off the plaster, he discovered a beautiful emerald Buddha.

When King Rama I established Bangkok, then known as Ratanakosin, as his capital, he had a temple built to the east of his palace to house the Emerald Buddha. Twelve stone lions were placed around the temple to stand guard. The lions themselves were based on Khmer prototypes, but decorated with Thai chest plates.

Your Thai Temple Guardian Lions

Through an arrangement with a foundry in Thailand, we are able to offer our customers bronze castings of these unique lions. A special ceremony was performed by monks from the temple before these lions were cast in order to bless both the images and the artists who create them. All bronze lions are available for sale individually, or as matching pairs, and in sizes to suit any home.