Bagan Nga-kywe-na-daung Stupa, Myanmar

Address

Bagan Nga-kywe-na-daung Stupa, Myanmar

Old Bagan,

Myanmar (Burma)

Moolavar

Buddha

Introduction

Nga-kywe-na-daung (built c. 9th century) is a medium size early Pyu type brick masonry stupa. Its date of construction remains uncertain. Paul Strachan suggests that it most likely is from the 9th century because of the somewhat crude molding of its brick; tightly fitting brick apparently did not appear until the mid-10th century. Pierre Pichard suggests estimated construction in the 11th century. But each scholar totally qualifies his conclusions.

Although badly damaged and with its circular bulbous dome strengthened by steel rings after the 1975 earthquake, Nga-kywe-na-daung retains an elegance not only because it is one of only two Bagan stupas with extensive external glazed tile but also because of its unique form and its precarious solidarity. Its glazed tile suggests, to Strachan, a connection with Chinese glazing techniques, with which the Pyu were familiar. Its support bricks are c. 16.5 x 18 x 2.3 in. (42 x 21 x 6 cm) or 14 x 6.6 x 2.5 in (36 x 17 x 6.5 cm). The stupa is hollow and before the restoration was completed was accessible from above. Valuable objects, often encased in stupas, long ago disappeared to treasure hunters. The former circular terraces also no longer are extant.