Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Year: 2019
Volume: 14
Issue: 13
Page No. 4508 - 4517

Esan Color Glass: Artisans and Symbolic in Buddhist Architecture

Authors : Nittaya Phongkanpai, Kittisan Sriruksa and Panya Napangmaun

Abstract: This research aims to study the history of Esan colored glass study the artisanship of Esan colored glass and study the symbolism of Esan colored glass in Buddhist architecture. Using qualitative research, data were collected by field survey, e.g., field-survey questionnaire form, group interview recordings and interview form. Based on data analysis, study findings are as follows. History of Esan colored glass found in four styles of Buddhist ubosot as follows: rattanakosin style: being influenced by the late-Ayutthaya period, Esan colored glass was widely used to decorate Buddhist architecture, since, the Reign of King Rama III and to date Lan Chang style: as Esan local area has a long relationship with Lan Chang Kingdom, many temples have been built and decorated with colored glass. This was inspired by the ubosot of Wat Xieng Thong, Luang Prabang; Vietnamese style: during the colonial era, some Vietnamese escaped for asylum and main occupation at that time was crafting and construction; noticing from many of the creative works that can be found throughout the Northeastern Region, Northeast Folk style: the colored glass decoration was a mix of traditional and varied styles influenced by incoming culture or experience of the artisans themselves in that period. The artisanship of Esan colored glass is the creativity of artistic contents, concepts, materials and production processes. These are found to have been on a continuous development for the ubosot styles as follows: Rattanakosin style: it was found that the colored glass used in the early Rattanakosin period was a glass of ancient colors or Chinese glass that had a few shades of lustre whereas the modern colored glass comes with different color shades to choose from; Lan Chang style: Popularity was the decoration with colored glass cut in a shape of mosaic to depict stories. These are considered colored glass of the present days as they are shining beautifully Vietnamese style: most of the buildings are brick-and-masonry structured, decorated with low-relief painted sculpture the identity of the Vietnamese which most of the spherical mirror from a pressed powder compact or square-shaped glasses is used at some parts of the decoration. Most of the local Esan ubosot styles are brick and masonry. The gable and apex on the roof are commonly wooden while mosaic decoration is normally finished with glasses or mirrors from pressed powder compact while glass decorations are preferably only for some important parts. The study aims at the symbolism of Esan colored glass in Buddhist architecture, as well as beliefs of art decorated with colored glass in the Northeastern temples. Area of study covers 27 Buddhist temples, divided into 4 groups then analyzed the symbolism at every temple in 3 aspects: Buddhism, traditional belief and ethnicity. The study found that Buddhist symbolism is mostly used to convey the story. The importance of the religion is reflected in the symbolism through colored glass decorated to depict stories such as the Buddha’s Life, Buddha’s images, Tribhumikatha (The Three Worlds), Chulamani Chedi, lotus, the Sun naga while symbolism related to the original beliefs is mostly reflected in the myths, folk tales, customs, traditions, cultures and ethnic symbols. Apart from that, it is related to the way the people live. The symbolism also relates to the reality of nature through the doctrine of Buddhism.

How to cite this article:

Nittaya Phongkanpai, Kittisan Sriruksa and Panya Napangmaun, 2019. Esan Color Glass: Artisans and Symbolic in Buddhist Architecture. Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 14: 4508-4517.

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