Page:History of Indian and Eastern Architecture Vol 2.djvu/493

 CHAP. III. SIAM. 411 two Vihans, one on either side, the Bot being here transferred to the rear, or the west side, with a western entrance. 1 In the Vat na Phra-That at Lophaburi (Plate XLVIIL), the plan is more complicated, there being an outer and inner galleried court, united by the Bot, in front of which is a porch of unusual dimensions, preceded by what seemed to be a triumphal entrance gate. Numerous Phras and other structures are shown in the outer galleried court, such as exist in all the plans drawn by Fournereau. A view of the central temple is given in P. A. Thompson's ' Lotus Land ' (p. 240), its tower bears considerable resemblance to one of the Vat Sisavai" towers (Plate XLVIL). The gallery is shown also on the plans of two temples at Sangkalok and in the Vat Xang Phuek at Sajjanalaya. An exceptional Vihan is found in the Vat Phra-non, also at Sajjanalaya, where the roof is carried by sixteen square piers, four rows of piers with four in each row. The influence of Cambodia is shown also in the Vat Phra Prang Sam Y6t at Lophaburi, which consists of three sanctuaries, cruciform on plan, side by side, with corridors between them. Above each of these sanctuaries is a lofty tower with five receding storeys, enriched with sculptured features, similar to those of the Vat Sisavai at Sukhodaya (Plate XLVIL). The design of the Phra-Prang is found in the crowning members of the pagodas of Bangkok, but they are covered with an elaboration of detail and exuberance of coloured ornament that has seldom been surpassed, nor is it desirable it should be, for it is here carried to an extent truly barbarous (Woodcut No. 474). Notwithstanding the bad taste which they display, these Bangkok pagodas are interesting in the history of architecture as exemplifying the instinctive mode in which some races build, and the innate and irrepressible love of architecture they display. But it also shows how easily these higher aspirations degenerate into something very like vulgarity, when exercised by a people in so low a stage of civilisation as the modern Siamese. The same remarks apply to their civic buildings : palaces and porticos, and even dwelling-houses, are all as rich as carving and gilding and painting can make them ; but, as in the pagodas, it is overdone and fails to please, because it verges on vulgarity. The typical design of all these halls and minor buildings will be understood from the following woodcut (No. 475), represent- ing the Hall of Audience at Bangkok. Like all the others, it 1 The Bot can usually be distinguished from the Vihan by the Phra-Sema, or boundary stones which are set up round it ; these are shown on many of Four- nereau's plans, and on the plan of VsU Phu Tai round the western structure.