Pinya Glazed Tiles: The Cultural Legacy of Bagan

By : Saw Tun Lin

Page No: 135-159

Abstract
The tradition of embellishing Buddhist monuments with glazed tiles originated in the Bagan period (9th - 13th centuries CE) and continued to evolve during the Pinya period (14th century CE), albeit with a perceived decline in quality, possibly attributed to political instability. This study delves into the cultural and artistic legacy of Bagan through a comprehensive visual analysis of Buddhist glazed tiles unearthed in Mekkhaya, Myinzaing, Pinya, and Sagaing — cities that flourished during the 14th century CE. In Pinya-period stupas, architectural design, heavily influenced by Bagan’s Shwezigon pagoda, features bell-shaped structures on square terraces. The study focuses on wellpreserved Jātaka tiles from Mekkhaya Shwezigon, displaying visual and typological similarities with those from Bagan. Inscriptions in Pali and Burmese labels, deciphered to understand narratives, indicate a standardised production process, possibly involving skilled craftsmen from Bagan who resettled in Pinya capitals. Beyond serving a decorative purpose, Jātaka glazed tiles exhibit multiple functions, including imparting moral and ethical teachings of Buddhism. These tiles visually narrate the Buddha’s biography, acting as iconised word texts and symbolising the presence of the Buddha in the absence of actual relics, thus reflecting a rich cultural and artistic legacy.

Author
Saw Tun Lin : Consultant, SEAMEO Regional Centre for Archaeology and Fine Arts (SEAMEO SPAFA), Bangkok, Thailand.
 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.32381/SEAR.2025.50.7