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Head of Vishnu Cambodia, Pre-Angkor 7th century Sandstone, traces of erosion, natural patina height 18 cm. |
Vishnu is identified by his typical cylindrical kiritamukuta. He is one of Hinduism’s principal deities, the embodiment of mercy and goodness, the self-existent all-pervading power that preserves and maintains the universe and the cosmic order (dharma). To accomplish his task as protector, the popular god takes a number of incarnations (avatars), which he sends to earth endowed with a spirit of self-sacrifice and devotion. The doctrine of Vishnu’s incarnations satisfied the great need of a people for a religion of faith in a personal god. In Cambodia his icon expressed the desire for a divine deliverer amidst the evils and miseries of life. Vishnu is portrayed with a cylindrical mitre worn low on the neck and cut around the pronounced and long-lobed ears. The features of the god’s face are precise and well executed. The almond-shaped eyes are finely outlined, the nose is profound, and the curve of the lips establishes an authoritative expression. His eyebrows are rendered by a continuous curved line. On either side of the mukuta are the remains of stone struts, which would originally have been attached to Vishnu’s raised arms. The style of the earliest religious sculptures of Cambodia, produced before the unification of the Khmer empire by Jayavarman II in the ninth century, is referred to as Pre-Angkor. This figurative style is relatively naturalistic with well observed forms and carefully considered harmoniously flowing volumes. The shape of the mukuta, the pronounced ear lobes, the round face with restrained smile, and the outlined eyes, are all typical stylistic traits. The sensuous mouth with full lower lip reveals the influence of the Indian Gupta period. This physiognomy is also encoutered in a number of figures known from Phnom Da [1]. This early and rare Cambodian head is not just the powerful depiction of a god; it was created to achieve a spiritual effect, conveying a meaning beyond the sculpture itself. The combination of great presence and spirituality give it a place among the finest examples of its kind. It exhibits the great artistic qualities of early Cambodian sculpture. [1] E. C. Bunker and D. Latchford, Adoration and Glory. The Golden Age of Khmer Art, Chicago, 2004, no. 3, Vishnu head, Pre- Angkor 7th century; no. 10, Vishnu, late 7th/early 8th century; no. 14, Vishnu, 8th century; no. 17, Durga, 8th century and P. Pal, The sensuous immortals, A selection of sculptures from the Pan-Asian collection, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, n.p. 1978, no. 137, Head of Vishnu, Phnom Da style, 7th century, height 20.3 cm. |