‘LANNA THAI’
The collection consists of items dating from the Lanna period, beginning approximately 1600 A.D. “Lanna” refers to the Kingdom of the northern Thai peoples which was incorporated into the Kingdom of Siam by treaty approximately 100 years ago.
The Lanna kingdom encompassed the provinces of Chiang Rai, Nan, Chiang Mai, Phayao, Phra, Lampang and Lampoon and its influence reached into the Shan States (Burma), Sipsongpanna (China) and Lan Xang (Lao PDR).
Its culturally unique expression is marked by a distinct spoken and written language (related to but different from modern Thai) and a distinguished history of codified law. Its religious monuments reveal religious piety in the face of warfare and conquest by its neighbours.
The Lanna kingdom was a rich historical period which has been little studied but is much appreciated by connoisseurs of Southeast Asian art. |
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Rai Mae Fah Luang was originally developed as a centre of education and youth development extending scholarship programmes sponsored by the Mae Fah Luang Foundation to disadvantaged students from impoverished communities in remote areas of the country.
The last class of the Foundation’s Remote Area Student Programme is due to celebrate their graduation in 2004. With its original founding mission successfully accomplished, Rai Mae Fah Luang enters the next phase, completing the transition from education and youth development to its new role as a cultural centre and a centre of Lanna studies dedicated to the conservation and promotion of Lanna heritage.
THE CONSERVATION AND PROMOTION OF
LANNA HERITAGE
Entrusted with this new mandate and guided by the belief that an essential component of cultural preservation is to conserve the environment in which the art and artefacts were created, the Mae Fah Luang Foundation strives to preserve the atmosphere and natural landscape in which the cultural arts of the ancient northern Thai kingdom, known as Lanna Thai, were nurtured.
The Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park and Centre of Lanna Studies consists of five key exhibit areas namely:
THE BOTANICAL GARDENS AND NATURE PARK
The 26-hectare botanical gardens are planted with indigenous plants and trees and fragrant flora known to have inspired artistic motifs in the visual, literary and performing arts. Paths and walkways meander around the landscaped gardens, lotus ponds and rest pavilions or sala.
The gardens continue to play an important role in the contemporary cultural life of the community. Many artists visit the gardens in search of inspiration. The gardens also serve as a venue for staging cultural performances as well as the conduct of rituals in observance of ancient Lanna Buddhist traditions. Such cultural activities preserve the close connection between spiritual beliefs and the natural ecology of Lanna.
While the gardens are considered to be sacred ground where rituals are performed, it also has a more contemporary role and function. On numerous occasions, the Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park has been the host venue for grand receptions and state banquets staged in honour of visiting royalty and international dignitaries.
The majestic pavilions and galleries on the premises encapsulate the finest of Lanna art and architecture. Religious art and secular objects are displayed within its context and offer insight into ancient traditions and the Lanna Thai way of life.
A MAGNIFICENT REPOSITORY OF LANNA ART
- The country’s finest collection of Northern Thai religious and secular art and artefacts dating back to 1,600 A.D.
To preserve the finest of the Lanna cultural and artistic heritage, the Mae Fah Luang Foundation initiated a collection of Lanna art and artefacts.
The collection of Lanna art on display at the Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park has been collected over the years by the Mae Fah Luang Foundation under the patronage of HRH the Princess Mother. It represents the finest exhibition and collection of religious and secular art and artefacts found in Thailand.
Wood from Rare and Exotic Species of Trees
Not only is the Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park a repository of some of the most magnificent masterpieces in Lanna art, a prized collection of unique items of wood greatly valued for its rarity, uniqueness or natural beauty is part of its precious inventory. These items were presented to HRH the Princess Mother as gifts by individuals and organizations from all over the country.
The collection reflects the tremendous biodiversity and wealth of rare and exotic species of trees found throughout the Thai kingdom, in times past and the present. Of these, teak – a hardwood tree indigenous to the forests of Northern Thailand and the Golden Triangle treasured as much for the natural beauty as for its durability – remains the top choice for crafting art pieces and beautiful ceremonial items used for worship such as candelabra, as well as a great variety of secular items that featured in the daily lives of the people.
As word of the efforts being undertaken by the Foundation to develop a Lanna heritage collection at Rai Mae Fah Luang became widely known, it attracted much public interest and support from local residents who offered donations of art items and artefacts in their possession to the Foundation. The steady stream of donations continues to this very day, adding to the collection. This has pre-empted many priceless pieces of Lanna art from being lost and provides an opportunity for northern Thai people to learn about their cultural roots and heritage.
HERITAGE HOME AND MAGNIFICENT REPOSITORY OF LANNA ART
The Haw Kham (Golden Pavilion)
The Haw Kham Noi (Small Golden Pavilion)
Sala Kaew – A ceremonial space for rituals
Haw Kaew – Gallery of Lanna Cultural Arts
Please click to view
Contact information:
Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park
313 Moo 7, Ban Pa Ngiew, Tambon Robwiang, Amphoe Muang, Chiang Rai 57000
Tel: +66 (0) 5371 1968
E-mail: tourism@doitung.org |
