S C U L P T U R E O F T H A I L A N D
Buddhist sculpture from Thailand, along with many other SE Asian cultures, were influenced by 11th century Indian sculpture, which is characterized by broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and a five pointed flame on the crown of the Buddha’s head.
During the Burmese invasion in 1767, the Golden Buddha was covered in plaster and disguised as a mediocre sculpture, and moved to a rural temple to conceal its true value. It was then lost for 200 years, and discovered only when it was being moved in 1955, as the 5.5 ton weight of the solid gold sculpture gave away its secret.
