Bangkok National Museum
The National Museum Bangkok ( Thai: พิพิธภัณฑสถาน แห่ง ชาติ พระนคร; RTGS: Phiphitthaphanthasathan Haeng Chat Phra Nakhon; pronunciation: [ p ʰ íʔp ʰ ITT ʰ áʔp ʰ ant ʰ áʔsàʔt ʰ ă ː n hɛŋ t͡ɕ ʰ â ː t p ʰ ráʔ náʔk ʰ ɔ ː n]) is the first of several National Museums of Thailand. It is located in the historic center of Bangkok, on the Rattanakosin Island, north of the Grand Palace ( Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang ), the central Sanam Luang in Bangkok's Phra Nakhon district.
History
The very first museum in Thailand was established by King Mongkut (Rama IV ). He left in 1862 to build on the grounds of the Grand Palace, a building to house his collection of art objects and antiques. The building was called " Prapat Bibidhabanda " and stood on the spot where now stands the " Maha Prasat Hall Sivilai ".
The first public museum, King Chulalongkorn ( Rama V ) in 1874 also set up the palace grounds in the " Concordia Hall ", later " Sala Sahathai Samakhom ". After the death of the last Uparat in August 1885 his palace, the so-called " Front Palace " stand ( Phra Ratcha Wang Bowon Sathan Mongkon, Thai: พระราชวัง บวร สถาน มงคล - short Wang Na) empty. King Chulalongkorn was 1887 exhibits from the Concordia Hall transport in the Wang Na, where he ausersah the front three buildings as a new location. On December 4, 1889 by a royal decree of Wang Na declared a museum under the auspices of the Education Ministry. For administrative building of the just newly established Ministry of the building of today's National Theatre was appointed in 1892, which also was on the territory of the former Wang Na. The museum was opened twice a week. It issued antiques and art objects, catalogs were issued in both Thai and English.
On April 19, 1926 King Prajadhipok (Rama VII ) established the Royal Institute, and certain Prince Damrong Rajanubhab as its President. The Royal Institute settled in the northern part of the Wang Na on, it then took over the management of the " Bangkok Museum " as it was called now, and also the " Bangkok Library" ( Bangkok library). The building of the museum were repaired and renovated, so that on 10 November 1926 the King's birthday, the two new institutions were inaugurated in a solemn ceremony.
Over the years, the museum building were in very bad condition, so that in 1930 there was already collapse hazard. Since no funds were available, many teak logs were used to support the roofs. (: The Fine Arts Department about ) was established after the coup of 1932, on 3 May 1933, the Fine Arts Department. The administration of the Bangkok Museum and Library Vajiranyana was transferred to the Ministry. Simultaneously, the Bangkok museum was renamed " National Museum ", the Vajiranyana Library became the " National Library" ( National Library ).
It was not until the early 1950s were enough funds will be allocated to repair the building of the museum, and after 20 years to remove the temporary support beams. The restoration was completed in 1952.
Attractions
- The Buddhai - Sawan - chapel was built by the first Uparat 1792. Here still stands the statue of Buddha in Thailand, which is most revered by the Emerald Buddha: the legendary Phra Phuttha Sihing. In certain Buddhist holidays this statue is set up with her throne to the public on the Sanam Luang. Noteworthy also are the old wall paintings in the chapel, which are among the oldest in Bangkok.
- Bronze age: Numerous finds from the area around Ban Chiang are exhibited in the Sivamokkha Phiman hall. Particularly worth seeing is a small, about eight inches high peacock figure, which can already be viewed almost as modern because of its simple design.
- Dvaravati art: in the relatively new south wing of the museum is to see works of art from the Dvaravati period, including several laws wheels ( Dharmachakra, diameter up to 1.80 meters). Especially impressive is the 3.80 meters high, seated Buddha statue of Phra Phuttha Narachet.
- Sukhothai: Many statues of Buddha from the Sukhothai era are on display in the relatively new north wing. Here also is the original of the stele of King Ramkhamhaeng on which for the first time the Thai font is shown. One can also see some statues of Hindu deities (eg, the 1.50 -meter-high Uma or 2.70 -meter-high Vishnu, both from partially gilded bronze ) in the typical Sukhothai style (see Buddha Statue ( Thailand) ).
- Ayutthaya: a 1.50 meter high Buddha head made of bronze from the Ayutthaya period can be seen as well as other medium and small sculptures also in the north wing.
- Crafts: countless examples of traditional Thai handicrafts are exhibited: decorated utilitarian objects of the king with mother of pearl inlays or with niello, provided bookcases from monasteries and the royal house with black and gold lacquer painting, silver and gold work, carvings in ivory. Particularly impressive is a about a meter high, carved from teak, elegant figure of a Kinnari from the 17th century.
- Royal hearse: A separate building is dedicated to the magnificent royal hearse that made of teak, decorated with gilded wood carvings, up to 15 m high and up to 40 t are heavy. The oldest model dates back to 1795. Four groups of a total of 216 soldiers pull this car from the temple, where the deceased had been laid out in a procession to the cremation ground (usually the Sanam Luang ). Last one of these cars was used at the funeral of the Queen Mother on March 8, 1996. ( see Related links )
- Pavilion: many open pavilions ( sala ) are distributed on the museum grounds. Located at the entrance, the petite Long Song gazebo covered from the time of King Vajiravudh eye, obliquely behind the Buddhaisawan chapel is the recently renovated Samran - Mukhamat pavilion.
Replica of the Ramkhamhaeng stele in Sukhothai Historical Park
Border Buddha, Sukhothai - style
The Samran - Mukhamat Pavilion
See also: National Museum in Thailand
Swell
- Dhanit Yupo: The Development of the National Museum in Thailand. 3rd edition, Bangkok: The Fine Arts Department, 1990 ( Thai culture; 24).
- The National Museum Volunteers Group: Treasures from The National Museum Bangkok. Bangkok 1995.