Cambodia, Former Khmer Empire, 12th-13th century, Stoneware divinity head

Sandstone head of a divinity mounted on a stand

Cambodia, Old Khmer Empire
Angkor-Vat period
12th-13th century

The gentle face is characterized by delicately drawn superciliary arches meeting at the base of the nose. The almond-shaped eyes are wide open, with well-defined pupils and thick eyelids. A blunt nose overlooks a mouth with full lips and a discreet smile, a classic expression of Khmer statuary from this period.
Prominent cheekbones, a dimpled chin and ears with lobes distended by the weight of the ornaments. The temples are adorned with small locks of hair, the hairstyle elaborate with long braids brought to the top of the skull and prolonged into a high bun decorated with floral motifs. A high tiara richly embellished with geometric motifs encircles the head.

Our piece, characterized by a broad, serene face, half-closed eyelids, a slight smile and an elaborate headdress, is in keeping with the classical style of Khmer art at its apogee.
We are therefore presented with two different stylistic identification hypotheses, each distinctly linked to a major phase in the religious and political history of the Angkorian empire:

°°° Hindu hypothesis
In the first half of the 12th century, under the reign of Suryavarman II, the temple of Angkor Wat was erected in honor of Vishnu, the patron deity of cosmic order. The king is also represented in the guise of this god, in the Khmer tradition of the deified king, embodying his sacred power on earth.
In this case, it could be a representation of Vishnu or of the deified ruler Suryavarman II.

°°° Buddhist hypothesis
At the end of the 12th century, King Jayavarman VII imposed Mahāyāna Buddhism as the state religion. Under his reign, numerous effigies of the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, the embodiment of compassion and wisdom, were carved throughout the kingdom. Sometimes, the sovereign himself was depicted in these idealized images.
In this case, we'd be looking at either a representation of a bodhisattva or an idealized representation of Jayavarman VII.

Sandstone
Surface erosion and visible accidents
23 x 15 cm excluding base
European private collection

Contact us: culturesetcivilisations@orange.fr

Ref: SB63GPCAFC