Pre-Angkorian period Stone Sculpture - 8.7 cm

Stone head of Vishnu

Cambodia, Pre-Angkorian Period
Ancient Kingdom of Chanla
Kampong Thom Province, Prasat Andet Site
Seventh–Eighth century

The face of the deity with a hieratic expression is inscribed within a perfect oval, with eyebrows outlined by a double incision in the shape of a circumflex accent, above two large almond-shaped eyes with fringed eyelids. A broad, flattened nose, prominent cheekbones, and a mouth with thick lips sketching a slight smile thus prefigure a very sensitive and gentle realistic modeling that will be seen later in Khmer art. The ears have distended lobes, the top of the skull is crowned with a high tiara outlined by a fine border, materialized at the base and at the top of the headdress. The upper left rear part of the latter shows the remains of a support arch that once connected the arms to the head and on which the attributes of the god were placed.

Prasat Andet is a major site from the pre-Angkorian period dedicated to the worship of Vishnu. It is part of sites that already show a transition between the Gupta style of India and the more distinct Khmer characteristics that will mark the Angkor period. The worship of Vishnu associated with it was essential in legitimizing royal power, as the deity was venerated as the tutelary god of kings in connection with the ideology of the devaraja, or king-god, and was associated with the cosmic order as well as the protection of the kingdom.

Gray stone
Visible wear and missing parts
14.7 x 7.3 cm including base
European private collection