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Antique Thai Buddha covered with golden leaf, Ayutthaya 1351-1767 AD Height without base: 40 inches = 102 cm Height with base: 50 inches = 127 cm Weight: 150-200 kg Material: Solid bronze covered with golden leaves. Condition: some damage to golden leaf at the back Provenance: private collection in London, UK. Ayutthya period (1351–1767) [edit] Wat Chaiwatthanaram Prang and statue of Buddha, Wat Mahathat, Ayutthaya During the 14th century, Thai power shifted south with the founding of the Kingdom of Ayutthya by King Uthong (r. 1351–1369). Its capital of Ayutthya was a major center of Buddhism, with many temples and monasteries. There, Buddhist culture adopted both Sukhothai and Khmer elements.[40] Ayutthya kings continued to focus their royal patronage on the Lankavong Theravada sect.[41] They saw themselves as defenders of the religion, which they advanced by supporting the sangha.[42] During the reign of Indraraja I (c. 1422), a new sect of Sri Lankan Theravada, the Vanaratnavong (a.k.a. Pa-Kaeo) sect, was formed by a group of Thai monks who had ordained in Sri Lanka. It mainly differed from the older Lankavong sect in that it was stricter in its practice.[43] Chedi of Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, built by King Naresuan the Great in 1592 The reign of king Borommatrailokkanat (1431–1488) was a golden era for Thai Buddhism. He encouraged the arts and literature, as well as building numerous monasteries in Ayutthya. He also ordained as monk for eight months at Wat Chulamani.[44] During his reign, the Vanaratnavong group also grew in prominence.[43][45] A major literary work of this era is the Mahachat Kham Luang (Thai: มหาชาติคำหลวง), an epic poem of the "Great Birth" of Vessantara Bodhisattva, which combined Pali verse with Thai poetry. To this day, the Vessantara Jātaka is one of the most popular stories of one of Gautama Buddha's past lives. It tells the story of a very compassionate and generous prince, Vessantara, who gives away everything he owns.