Dvaravati art

Surrounding geography proved treacherous for travel and thus provided a fair amount of isolation for the individual kingdoms.

Isolation enabled development of a highly sophisticated and distinct Mon-Dvaravati style.

[1] Dvaravati itself was heavily influenced by Indian culture though the process of cultural diffusion over several centuries starting from the Christian 5th century, and played an important role in introducing Mahayana Buddhism and particularly Buddhist art to the region.

[2][3][4] Archaeological research and restoration have indicated that Buddhist monuments of the Dvaravati style exhibited contemporary art of Gupta temple-architecture with many constructed with open-air structures.

There are four major categories: The temple complex at Wat Phra That Hariphunchai, dating to the 9th and 11th centuries, is a pristine example of Dvaravati architecture.

Bronze statue Mon-Dvaravati period.
In Thailand now, Ku Bua , ( Dvaravati culture, Mon), 650-700 C.E. Sculpture with influences from India. Three musicians in right are playing (from center) a 5-stringed lute, cymbals, a tube zither or bar zither with gourd resonator.