Earrings Fashion, Transcendent Beauty in Stucco Sculptures in Dvaravati Era.

Abstract

Beauty or charm is what all mankind desires. It sounds like transcendent objects since the ancient times. Accessories are a sort of artworks embroidering our body for their bodies as shown in the archeologic evidences in the graves in Ban Chiang archeologic sites, Udon Thani province, in Neolithic age, since Prehistoric period. Even the citizens in that era had any facial characteristics, but it relied on the embroideries decorating their beauty shown on their faces. Thus, the accessories are something that everyone desires. Creating these artworks were applied to response the owners and reflect how their social values of fashions in those areas were. Meanwhile, materials used in the accessories could identify the available hierarchy and social status. Dvaravati arts originated in 12th -16th (B.E.) centuries or around more than a thousand years. In that era, there were appearances of embroideries decorating their bodies to show beauty and represent the social classes. Evidences in the study included human stucco sculptures and archeological antique arts generally found in Dvaravati era, including Nakhon Pathom ancient town, U-thong ancient town in Suphan Buri province, and Khu Bua ancient town in Ratchaburi province. Embroideries include Siraporn (headwears) and Thanim Pimpaporn (embroidery accessories). Based on the study, it was found that earrings were fascinated in each social classes in Dvaravati era because Siraporn or head wears were popular accessories in aristocratic classes only. Moreover, based on the study, earrings in Dvaravati era were made from materials and metals in various styles and they were fashions worn in every class in Dvaravati societies. Moreover, they were styles designed by more than thousand-year ancient craftsmen. This shows the beauty values in that era. Even though time flies more than thousand years, transcendent beauty still exists for all current citizens to appreciate it.