Phra Chaiwat Songkhram (Phra Ngan) Ayutthaya Est. 300 - 400 Years Bucha
Ancient Bronze Buddha Image of Warriors and Warlords from the Ayutthaya Period
✦ AUTHENTIC ANTIQUE ARTIFACT ✦
Ayutthaya Period (Est. 300 - 400 Years)
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Principal view of the Phra Chaiwat Songkhram, renowned as the sacred Buddha Image of Warriors.
Archaeological Provenance & Historical Significance
The **Phra Chai Songkhram** is an ancient Buddha image, archaeologically datable to the **middle to late Ayutthaya period (approximately 300-400 years old)**. Historically, this iconography served as the quintessential spiritual armament for Thai warriors, generals, and commanders, who carried these sacred images into battle for **protection, courage, and spiritual strength**. The practice involved enshrining the Phra Chaiwat at temples, shrines, or pagodas upon returning from war, aligning with the traditional Buddhist tenet that such sacred artifacts should reside in consecrated spaces.
This particular artifact, cast in **ancient bronze with black rust and filled with Thai soil**, retains its **original and pristine condition**. Such untouched preservation is highly exceptional, as many comparable examples have been subject to cleaning that stripped their natural patina. Specimens in this condition are typically encountered only in **national museums**, thus substantiating this piece's remarkable authenticity and historical value.
Historical Context: The name *Phra Chaiwat Songkhram* translates to 'Victorious Buddha of War,' explicitly linking the image to military and protective functions during the Ayutthaya Kingdom, a period marked by continuous conflict and the crucial role of spiritual talismans for warrior invulnerability (Kong Krapan).
Obverse face detail, highlighting the delicate crown and **full-body robe (Hom Pong)** characteristic of the period.
Provenance and Monastic Tradition
The **Phra Chaiwat Ayutthaya** has been primarily discovered in **ancient temples, crypts, and pagodas** within the former capital and surrounding areas. A significant number have also been recovered from being embedded in the **walls of chapels**, further attesting to their sacred origins and deliberate concealment for long-term spiritual preservation.
While the protective powers of these amulets were **widely recognized in ancient times**, a long period of historical oversight caused many people to **initially overlook their historical and spiritual value**. Consequently, these artifacts remained relatively obscure until **antique collectors, both Thai and foreign, began seeking out these national treasures** in recent decades, initiating a period of scarcity and increasing collector demand.
Reverse face demonstrating the **aged green rust stains** and authentic, undisturbed **original temple soil**.
Materials, Craftsmanship & Technical Specifications
The Phra Chaiwat from Ayutthaya is characterized as a small **seated Buddha image in meditation posture**. This particular piece is a compelling illustration of ancient Siamese metallurgical and devotional artistry. Its core characteristic is the use of **ancient bronze** and a core filled with **Thai soil**. A key feature that serves as a hallmark of its authenticity and cannot be easily replicated is the **thin bronze casting, almost fused with its base soil**.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Primary Material | Ancient Bronze with Thai Soil Core |
| Historical Period | Middle to Late Ayutthaya (Est. 300 - 400 Years) |
| Condition | Original and Pristine (Untouched Patina and Temple Soil) |
| Iconography | Seated Buddha in Samadhi (Meditation Posture) with Crown and Full Robe |
| Dimensions (Lap) | 2 inches in lap width |
| Dimensions (Height) | 5.3 inches (from base to the tip of the head) |
| Authenticity Note | Retains **original temple soil**, unlike cleaned specimens |
The fabrication process, consistent with the Ayutthaya period, likely involved a sophisticated lost-wax method, resulting in the desired thin bronze shell that was then filled with sacred earth materials. The presence of **aged green rust stains** is a chemical-archaeological marker, indicating the amulet's prolonged exposure and interment over centuries, essential for **institutional verification**.
Side profile view, illustrating the preserved **classic, untouched appearance**.
Historical Purpose & Spiritual Function
Within the historical taxonomy of Thai amulets, the **Phra Chaiwat Ayutthaya** occupies a specialized category as a paramount talisman of military and protective power. Its primary function was to instill the wearer with **invulnerability (Kong Krapan)** and to provide **supernatural protection** in combat situations. The image served as an **authenticated discovery** of spiritual resilience for those on the front lines.
Beyond military use, its efficacy was also highly valued by **law enforcement officers in the past (60-80 years ago)**, who carried it during dangerous missions to apprehend criminals. The belief in its **resilience** was so profound that it was held to be **impervious to bullets, knives, and physical attacks**, with ancient accounts describing miraculous protection from injury for its wearers.
Traditional Spiritual Attributes & Metaphysical Properties
Throughout history, the **Phra Chaiwat Ayutthaya** has been renowned for its compelling spiritual and metaphysical properties, rooted in traditional Thai Buddhist beliefs:
Primary Spiritual Attributes:
• Kong Krapan Chatri: Complete invulnerability against physical harm, including weapons and attacks.
• Klaew Khlad: Evasion of danger and accidents, ensuring the wearer is safe from unforeseen catastrophe.
• Maha Amnaj: Bestows great authority and commanding presence, empowering warlords and leaders.
• Maha Ud: The property of making guns misfire, specifically mentioned in traditional belief systems concerning this class of amulet.
Scholarly Disclaimer: The spiritual attributes described herein represent traditional beliefs preserved within Thai Buddhist folk religion and esoteric practices. These claims reflect cultural and religious perspectives rather than empirically verifiable phenomena. This documentation serves academic and cultural preservation purposes, presenting practitioner beliefs without endorsing supernatural claims. The amulet's value resides equally in its cultural significance, craftsmanship, and role within living religious traditions.
Rarity Assessment & Collector Significance
The market value and collector significance of the **Phra Chaiwat Ayutthaya** are fundamentally driven by its **Extreme Rarity** and deep historical provenance. Unlike modern amulets which are produced in **large quantities** and are often less than 50-100 years old, this piece has **survived centuries of history**. **Ancient artifacts like the Phra Chaiwat Ayutthaya are finite—they cannot be replicated or created anew**.
The combination of its antiquity, the **original temple soil**, and its **classic, untouched condition** elevates this piece to a museum-quality artifact. Its recognized status as a **national treasure** sought by major collectors has caused it to become increasingly **scarce and difficult to find**. As time progresses, the availability of genuinely authenticated, original-condition pieces diminishes, securing its position as a **true collector’s item**.
Rarity Classification: EXTREMELY RARE
This artifact belongs to the most exclusive category of Thai sacred art due to its genuine Ayutthaya-period provenance (Est. 300-400 Years), pristine original condition, and scarcity confirmed by historical accounts and contemporary market dynamics.
The Phra Chaiwat Ayutthaya embodies Buddhist wisdom, ancient craftsmanship, and centuries of devotion.
Conclusion
The **Phra Chaiwat Songkhram Ayutthaya** represents a paramount historical and sacred artifact. As an antique and historical artifact, it is confidently expected to **appreciate in value**. Once fully recognized for its true worth, it will become a **highly sought-after item** in the antique and amulet communities due to its **classic and untouched condition**.
Owning a **Phra Chaiwat Ayutthaya** is more than possessing a protective amulet; it is **preserving a significant piece of Thai history**. The rigorous examination of its provenance, materials, and iconography confirms its status as a tangible link to the **Buddhist wisdom, ancient craftsmanship, and centuries of devotion** that defined the Ayutthaya period.
This authenticated piece is an exceedingly rare opportunity to acquire a true museum-quality antique, embodying the spiritual authority and invulnerability of the Ayutthaya Kingdom’s finest protective talismans.
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Disclaimer: The information presented in this write-up is intended strictly for educational and reference purposes. It has been compiled in alignment with academic approaches to the study of Thai Buddhist material culture, incorporating traditional beliefs, historical context, and widely accepted collector insights. While details about authentication and provenance are provided to support scholarly exploration and personal appreciation, they must not be construed as definitive proof of authenticity or used for any legal, commercial, or forensic validation.