PRASAT KHMER , About Cambodia

• ANGKOR THOM ENCLOSURE & GATES

Title: the great city
Date: late 12th C
Style: Bayon
Walls constructed and rebuilt by: Jayavarman VII and successors
Reigned: 1181-c.1220
Location: Angkor Thom
Religion: Buddhist
Historic restoration by members of the EFEO
Restored (date): 1908, 1944-46, 1955, 1960
Restored (by): Commaille, Marchal, Glaize, Groslier

• ANGKOR WAT

Title: the city that is a temple
Date: early 12th C
Style: Angkor Wat
Temple constructed by: Suryavarman II
Reigned: 1113-c.1150
Location: Angkor
Religion: Brahmanic (Vishnu)
Historic restoration by members of the EFEO
Restored (date): 1908-11, 1948, 1950, 1954, 1961
Restored (by): Commaille, Trouvé, Brunet, Lagisquet

• BAKONG

Date: 881
Style: Preah Ko
Temple constructed rebuilt by: Jayavarman III, Indravarman I, Yasovarman II
Reigned: 877-c.886
Location: Roluos
Religion: Brahmanic (Shiva)
Historic restoration by members of the EFEO
Restored (date): 1936, 1936-43
Restored (by): Marchal, Glaize

• BANTEAY KDEI

Title: the citadel of the cells
Date: 1181
Style: Angkor Wat/Bayon
Temple constructed and rebuilt by: Jayavarman VII, Indravarman II
Reigned: 1181-c.1220
Location: Angkor
Religion: Buddhist
Historic restoration by members of the EFEO
Restored (date): 1920-22
Restored (by): Marchal, Batteur

• BANTEAY PREI

Title: the forest citadel
Date: late 12th C
Style: Bayon
Temple constructed and rebuilt by: Jayavarman VII
Reigned: 1181-c.1220
Location: Angkor
Religion: Buddhist

• BANTEAY SAMRE

Title: the citadel of the Samre
Date: early 12th C
Style: Angkor Wat
Temple constructed and rebuilt by: Suryavarman II, Yasovarman II, Jayavarman VIII
Reigned: c.1150-1165
Location: Angkor
Religion:Brahmanic (Vishnu)
Historic restoration by members of the EFEO
Restored (date): 1930, 1936-44
Restored (by): Glaize

• BANTEAY SREI

Title: the citadel of the women
Date: 967
Style: Banteay Srei
Temple constructed and rebuilt by: Rajendravarman, Jayavaraman V
Reigned: 944-968
Location: Angkor
Religion: Brahmanic (Shiva)
Historic restoration by members of the EFEO
Restored (date): 1924, 1931-1936
Restored (by): Parmentier, Goloubew, Marchal

• BAPHUON

Date: 1060
Style: Baphuon
Temple constructed and rebuilt by: Udayadityavarman II, Jayavarman VIII
Reigned: 1050-1066
Location: Angkor Thom
Religion: Brahmanic (Shiva)
Historic restoration by members of the EFEO
Restored (date): 1908-14, 1916-18, 1950
Restored (by): Commaille, Marchal

• BARAY (EAST) YASODHARATAKA

Title: reservoir
Date: 9th C
Style: centre East Mebon
Constructed: Yasovarman I
Reigned: 889-c.915
Location : East Baray
Infrastructure

• BARAY (NORTH) JAYATATAKA

Title: reservoir
Date: late 12th C
Style: centre Preah Khan
Constructed by: Jayavarman VII
Reigned: 1181-c.1220
Location : Angkor
Infrastructure

• BARAY (SOUTH) INDRATATAKA

Title: reservoir
Date: 9th C
Style: centre Lolei
Constructed and rebuilt by: Indravarman I
Reigned: 877-c.886
Location : Roluos
Infrastructure

• BARAY (WEST) TUK THLA

Title: reservoir
Date: 11th C
Style: centre West Mebon
Constructed by: Suryavarman I
Reigned: 1002-1049
Location: West Baray
Infrastructure

• BAYON

Date: late 12th C
Style: Bayon
Temple constructed and rebuilt by: Jayavarman VII, Jayavarman VIII
Reigned: 1181-c.1220
Location: Angkor Thom
Religion: Buddhist
Historic restoration by members of the EFEO
Restored (date): 1911-13, 1933, 1939-46
Restored (by): Commaille, Marchal, Trouvé, Glaize

• BENG MEALEA

Title: the pond of Mealea
Date: early 12th
Style: Baphuon/Angkor Wat
Temple constructed and rebuilt by: Yasovarman II, Jayavarman VIII
Reigned: c.1150-1165
Location: Phnom Kulen
Religion: Brahmanic
Historic restoration by members of the EFEO
Restored (date): 1913 (research)
Restored (by): Mecquenem

• CHAPEL OF THE HOSPITAL

Date: late 12th C
Style: Bayon
Temple constructed by: Jayavarman VII
Reigned: 1181-c.1220
Location: Angkor
Religion: Buddhist
Historic restoration by members of the EFEO
Restored (date): 1920
Restored (by): Marchal

• CHAU SAY TEVODA

Date: mid 12th C
Style: Angkor Wat
Temple constructed by: Sûryavarman II, Yasovarman II, Jayavarman VIII
Reigned: c.1150-1165
Location: Angkor
Religion: Brahmanic
Historic restoration by members of the EFEO
Restored (date): 1919-20, 1925-27, 1946
Restored (by): Marchal

• EAST MEBON

Date: 953
Style: Pre Rup
Temple constructed by: Rajendravarman
Reigned: 944-968
Location: East Baray
Religion: Brahmanic (Shiva)
Historic restoration by members of the EFEO
Restored (date): 1935-39
Restored (by): Marchal, Glaize

• KHLEANG (NORTH)

Title: storehouse
Date: early 11th C
Style: Khleang
Temple constructed by: Jayaviravarman
Reigned: 1002-1010
Location: Angkor Thom
Religion: Brahmanic
Historic restoration by members of the EFEO
Restored (date): 1908, 1919-20
Restored (by): Commaille, Marchal

• KHLEANG (SOUTH)

Title: storehouse
Date: early 11th C
Style: Khleang
Temple constructed and rebuilt by: Jayaviravarman, Suryavarman I
Reigned: 1002-1049
Location: Angkor Thom
Religion: Brahmanic
Historic restoration by members of the EFEO
Restored (date): 1908, 1919-20
Restored (by): Commaille, Marchal

• KOH KER

Title: group
Date: c.928-c.941
Style: Koh Ker
Temples constructed and rebuilt by: Jayavarman IV
Reigned: c.928-c.941
Location: Koh Ker
Religion: Brahmanic

• KUTISVARA

Date: mid 10th C
Style: Preah Ko/Pre Rup
Temple constructed and rebuilt by: Jayavarman II, Rajendravarman
Reigned: 944-968
Location: Angkor
Religion: Brahmanic (Shiva)
Historic restoration by members of the EFEO
Restored (date): 1930
Restored (by): Marchal, Parmentier

• LOLEI

Date: 893
Style: Preah Ko/Bakheng
Temple constructed by: Yasovarman I
Reigned: 889-c.915
Location: Roluos
Religion: Brahmanic (Shiva)

• MANGALARTHA

Date: late 13th C
Style: Bayon
Temple constructed by: Jayavarman VIII
Reigned: c.1243-1295
Location: Angkor
Religion: Brahmanic
Historic restoration by members of the EFEO
Restored (date): 1924
Restored (by): Marchal

• MONUMENT 486

Date: late 10th/13th C
Location: Angkor
Religion: Brahmanic/Buddhist
Historic restoration by members of the EFEO
Restored (date): 1918
Restored (by): Marchal

• NEAK POAN

Title: the entwined serpents
Date: late 12th C
Style: Bayon
Temple constructed by: Jayavarman VII
Reigned: 1181-c.1220
Location: Angkor
Religion: Buddhist
Historic restoration by members of the EFEO
Restored (date): 1922-24, 1938-39
Restored (by): Marchal, Glaize

• PHIMEANAKAS

Title: the aerial palace
Date: early 11th C
Style: Khleang, Bakheng/Bayon
Temple constructed and rebuilt by: Jayavarman V, Udayaityvarman I, Suryavarman I
Reigned: 1002-1049
Location: Angkor Thom
Religion: Brahmanic
Historic restoration by members of the EFEO
Restored (date): 1908, 1916-1918, 1944
Restored (by): Commaille, Marchal, Glaize

• PHNOM BAKHENG

Date: c.907
Style: Bakheng
Temple constructed by: Yasovarman I
Reigned: 889-c.915
Location: Angkor
Religion: Brahmanic (Shiva)
Historic restoration by members of the EFEO
Restored (date): 1919-30
Restored (by): Marchal

• PHNOM BOK

Title: the humped mountain
Date: c.900
Style: Bakheng
Temple constructed by: Yasovarman I
Reigned: 889-c.915
Location: Angkor
Religion: Brahmanic (Shiva)
Historic restoration by members of the EFEO
Restored (date): 1939
Restored (by): Glaize

• PHNOM KROM

Title: the downstream mountain
Date: c.900
Style: Bakheng
Temple constructed by: Yasovarman I
Reigned: 889-c.915
Location: Tonle Sap
Religion: Brahmanic (trinity)
Historic restoration by members of the EFEO
Restored (date): 1938
Restored (by): Glaize

• PHNOM KULEN GROUP

Date: c.825-875
Style: Kulen
Temples constructed by: Jayavarman II
Reigned: 802-850
Location: Phnom Kulen
Religion: Brahmanic

• PRASAT AK YUM

Date: 8th C
Style: pre-Angkorian
Location: West Baray
Religion: Brahmanic
Historic restoration by members of the EFEO
Restored (date): 1932-35
Restored (by): Trouvé

• PRASAT BAKSEI CHAMKRONG

Title: the bird with sheltering wings
Date: 948
Style: rededicated Bakheng/Koh Ker
Temple constructed and rebuilt by: Hashavarman I, Râjendravarman
Reigned: 944-968
Location: Angkor
Religion: Brahmanic (Shiva)
Historic restoration by members of the EFEO
Restored (date): 1919
Restored (by): Marchal

• PRASAT BAT CHUM

Date: 960
Style: Pre Rup
Temple constructed by: Rajendravarman
Reigned: 944-968
Location: Angkor
Religion: Buddhist

• PRASAT BEI

Title: the three towers
Date: 10th C
Style: Bakheng
Temple constructed by: Yasovarman I
Reigned: 889-c.915
Location: Angkor
Religion: Brahmanic (Shiva)
Historic restoration by members of the EFEO
Restored (date): 1919, 1960s
Restored (by): Marchal, Groslier

• PRASAT CHRUNG

Title: the corner shrines
Date: early 13th C
Style: Bayon
Temples constructed and rebuilt by: Jayavarman VII and VIII
Reigned: 1181-c.1220
Location: Angkor Thom
Iinfrastructure

• PRASAT KRAVAN

Title: the cardamom sanctuary
Date: 921
Style: Bakheng/Koh Ker
Temple constructed by: Harshavarman I
Reigned: c.915-923
Location: Angkor
Religion: Brahmanic
Historic restoration by members of the EFEO
Restored (date): 1929-31, 1935
Restored (by): Marchal, Trouvé

• PRASAT KROL KO

Title: the sanctuary in the corral for oxen
Date: late 12th C
Style: Bayon
Temple constructed by: Jayavarman VII
Reigned: 1181-c.1220
Location: Angkor
Religion: Buddhist
Historic restoration by members of the EFEO
Restored (date): 1922-24
Restored (by): Marchal

• PRASAT LEAK NEANG

Title: the sanctuary of the hidden maiden
Date: 960

• PRASAT PREI

Title: the sanctuary in the forest
Date: late 12th C
Style: Bayon
Temple constructed by: Jayavarman VII
Reigned: 1181-c.1220
Location: Angkor
Religion: Buddhist
Historic restoration by members of the EFEO
Restored (date): 1934
Restored (by): Mauger

• PRASAT THMOR BAI KAEK

Title: the rock that's a place to put rice for the crows
Date: 10th C
Temple constructed by: Yasovarman I
Reigned: 889-c.915
Location: Angkor
Religion: Brahmanic (Shiva)
Historic restoration by members of the EFEO
Restored (date): 1945
Restored (by): Glaize

• PRASAT SUOR PROAT

Title: the towers of the rope dancers
Date: 13th C
Style: post-Bayon
Temples constructed and rebuilt by: Jayavarman VII, Indravarman II
Reigned: 1181-c.1220
Location: Angkor Thom
Religion: Buddhist
Historic restoration by members of the EFEO
Restored (date): 1908, 1919-20, 1955-56
Restored (by): Commaille, Marchal

• PRE RUP

Title: to turn, or change, the body
Date: 961
Style: Pre Rup
Temple constructed by: Rajendravarman
Reigned: 944-968
Location: Angkor
Religion: Brahmanic (Shiva)
Historic restoration by members of the EFEO
Restored (date): 1922-35
Restored (by): Marchal, Trouvé

• PREAH KHAN

Title: the sacred sword
Date: 1191
Style: Bayon
Temple constructed by: Jayavarman VII, Jayavarman VIII
Reigned: 1181-c.1220
Location: Angkor
Religion: Buddhist
Historic restoration by members of the EFEO
Restored (date): 1927-32, 1939, 1946
Restored (by): Marchal, Glaize

• PREAH KO

Title: the sacred bull (Nandin)
Date: 880
Style: Preah Ko
Temples constructed and rebuilt by: Indravarman I
Reigned: 877-c.886
Location: Roluos
Religion: Brahmanic (Shiva)
Historic restoration by members of the EFEO
Restored (date): 1932-33
Restored (by): Trouvé

• PREAH PALILAY

Date: 13th C
Style: Angkor Wat/Bayon
Temple constructed and rebuilt by: Jayavarman VII, Jayavarman VIII? Srindravarman
Reigned: 1181-c.1220
Location: Angkor Thom
Religion: Buddhist
Historic restoration by members of the EFEO
Restored (date): 1918-19, 1937-38
Restored (by): Marchal, Glaize

• PREAH PITHU

Date: 13th C
Style: Angkor Wat/Bayon
Temple constructed and rebuilt by: Suryavarman II, Jayavarman VIII, Srindravarman
Reigned: c.1150
Location: Angkor Thom
Religion: Brahmanic/Buddhist
Historic restoration by members of the EFEO
Restored (date): 1908, 1918-20

• PREI MONTI

Date: 9th C
Temple constructed by: Jayavarman III
Reigned: 835-877
Location: Roluos
Religion: Brahmanic

• ROYAL PALACE

Date: late 12th C
Style: Bayon
Palace constructed and rebuilt by: Suryavarman I, Jayavarman VII, Jayavarman VIII
Reigned: 1181-c.1220
Location: Angkor
Infrastructure

• SPEAN THMOR

Title: the stone bridge
Date: 16th C
Style: post-Bayon
Location: Angkor
Infrastructure
Historic restoration by members of the EFEO
Restored (date): 1920
Restored (by): Marchal

• SRAS SRONG

Title: the royal bathing pool
Date: late 12th C
Style: Bayon
Pool constructed and rebuilt by: Rajendravarman,
Jayavarman VII
Reigned: 1181-c.1220
Location: Angkor
Religion: Buddhist
Historic restoration by members of the EFEO
Restored (date): 1920
Restored (by): Marchal

• TA KEO

Title: the ancestor Keo
Date: early 11th C
Style: Khleang
Temple constructed and rebuilt by: Jayavarman V, Jayaviravarman
Reigned: 1002-1010
Location: Angkor
Religion: Brahmanic (Shiva)
Historic restoration by members of the EFEO
Restored (date): 1920-22
Restored (by): Marchal, Batteur

• TA NEI

Title: the ancestor Nei
Date: late 12th C
Style: Bayon
Temples constructed and rebuilt by: Jayavarman VII, Indravarman II
Reigned: 1181-c.1220
Location: Angkor
Religion: Buddhist

• TA PROHM (BRAHMA)

Title: Ancestor Prohm (Brahmâ)
Date: 1186
Style: the ancestor Prohm
Temple constructed and rebuilt by: Jayavarman VII, Indravarman II, Jayavarman VIII
Reigned: 1181-c.1220
Location: Angkor
Religion: Buddhist
Historic restoration by members of the EFEO
Restored (date): 1920
Restored (by): Marchal

• TA PROHM KEL

Title: the ancestor Prohm (slithering)
Date: late 12th C
Style: Bayon
Temple constructed by: Jayavarman VII
Reigned: 1181-c.1220
Location: Angkor
Religion: Buddhist
Historic restoration by members of the EFEO
Restored (date): 1919
Restored (by): Marchal

• TA SOM

Title: the ancestor Som
Date: late 12th C
Style: Bayon
Terraces constructed and rebuilt by: Jayavarman VII, Indravarman II
Reigned: 1181-c.1220
Location: Angkor
Religion: Buddhist
Historic restoration by members of the EFEO
Restored (date): 1930
Restored (by): Marchal

• TEP PRANAM

Title: the worshipping god
Date: c.16th C
Style: post-Bayon
Location: Angkor Thom
Religion: Buddhist
Historic restoration by members of the EFEO
Restored (date): 1918, 1950
Restored (by): Marchal

• TERRACE OF THE ELEPHANTS

Date: late 12th
Style: Bayon
Terraces constructed and rebuilt by: Jayavarman VII, Jayavarman VIII
Reigned: 1181-c.1220
Location: Angkor Thom
Religion: Buddhist
Historic restoration by members of the EFEO
Restored (date): 1911, 1916, 1952
Restored (by): Mecquenem, Marchal

• TERRACE OF THE LEPER KING

Date: 13th C
Style: Bayon
Terraces constructed and rebuilt by: Jayavarman VII, Jayavarman VIII
Reigned: 1181-c.1220
Location: Angkor Thom
Religion: Buddhist
Historic restoration by members of the EFEO
Restored (date): 1911, 1917, 1972
Restored (by): Mecquenem, Marchal, Groslier

• THOMMANON

Date: early 12th C
Style: Angkor Wat
Temple constructed by: Suryavarman II
Reigned: 1113-c.1150
Location: Angkor
Religion: Brahmanic
Historic restoration by members of the EFEO
Restored (date): 1919-20, 1925-27, 1946, 1960s
Restored (by): Marchal, Laur, Groslier

• TRAPEANG PHONG

Date: 9th C
Temple constructed by: Jayavarman III
Reigned: 835-877
Location: Roluos
Religion: Brahmanic

• WEST MEBON
  

Date: mid 11th C
Style: Baphuon
Temple constructed by: Udayadityavarman II
Reigned: 1050-1066
Location: West Baray
Religion: Brahmanic (Vishnu)
Historic restoration by members of the EFEO
Restored (date): 1942-44

PRASAT KHMER , About Cambodia

Khmer art history , About Cambodia

• Prehistory

Several prehistoric sites are known in Cambodia (inc. Samrong Sen, Anlong Phdao, Melou Prei, and Laang Spean). It is believed that many more prehistoric sites exist, but have yet to be discovered. However, remnants of circular earthwork villages dating from the Neolithic times are found in the province of Kompong Cham.

Ancient stone, bronze tools and weapons, enigmatic bronze drums similar to those found at the Dong Son site in Vietnam (thought to be used in rain and war ceremonies), and ancient ceramics have been found and documented. Current archaeological research into Cambodia’s extensive prehistory will no doubt provide better insight into the lives of the people who made these objects, and give us a more concrete time-frame for their dates of manufacture.

• Ceramics

Recent archaeological excavations at Angkor Borei (in southern Cambodia) have recovered a large number of ceramics, some of which probably date back to the prehistoric period. Most of the pottery, however, dates to the pre-Angkorian period and consists mainly of pinkish terracotta pots which were either hand-made or thrown on a wheel, and then decorated with incised patterns.

Glazed wares first appear in the archaeological record at the end of the 9th century at the Roluos temple group in the Angkor region, where green-glazed pot shards have been found. A brown glaze became popular at the beginning of the 11th century and brown-glazed wares have been found in abundance at Khmer sites in northeast Thailand. Decorating pottery with animal forms was a popular style from the 11th to 13th century. Archaeological excavations in the Angkor region have revealed that towards the end of Angkor period production of indigenous pottery declined while there was a dramatic increase in Chinese ceramic imports.

Direct evidence of the shapes of vessels is provided by scenes depicted on bas-reliefs at Khmer temples, which also offer insight into domestic and ritualistic uses of the wares. The wide range of utilitarian shapes suggest the Khmers used ceramics in their daily life for cooking, food preservation, carrying and storing liquids, as containers for medicinal herbs, perfumes and cosmetics.

• Bronzes

Use of bronze-casting began in Cambodia sometime between 1,500 and 1,000 BCE. It is widely assumed that this technology was introduced to Southeast Asia through contact with the Chinese, but the possibility of independent development of bronze casting in Southeast Asia has yet to be conclusively ruled out. Whatever the case, bronze-casting had become a major industry throughout mainland Southeast Asia by 500 CE - at which time bronze was used to make a wide range of tools, weapons, ritual objects and ornaments.

After Indian political and religious ideas began permeating Cambodia (around the time of Christ), a tradition of casting bronze Hindu and Buddhist divinities emerged. This tradition reached its pinnacle of output and skill during the Angkor period. The large bronze figure of the ‘Reclining Vishnu’ (late 11th century) demonstrates the level of mastery which Khmer bronze artists achieved. The museum’s Bronze Gallery contains bronzes dating from the 7th to 20th century.

Besides the objects which were made in veneration of religious divinities, the other types of bronzes on display can be divided into two categories: ritual objects and secular goods. Many of the ritual objects in the collection, including popils (stylised candle holders), bells, bowls and conches for ritual water, are still used in a variety of Khmer ceremonies today. Many of the secular goods are objects which would have been bestowed by the royal court as insignia of rank for officials. These include ornate hooks for palanquins, gilded rings from the handles of parasols, fans, and military or official seals.

• Pre-Angkor period

Recent excavations at a site known as Angkor Borei and earlier work at Oc-Eo are confirming that this region was the site of important kingdoms that predate the Angkor empire - those of Funan and Zhenla (Chenla).

The oldest known Khmer stone sculptures date to the early 6th century and were found in cave temples which were carved into the side of Phnom Da, a small hill near Angkor Borei. Angkor Borei, today a small town in the Mekong Delta region, was a major city-centre within what is thought to have been the first large-scale centralised Khmer state (c.1st-6th century; often called ‘Funan’ as it was denoted in Chinese annals of the period).

The Phnom Da sculptures were carved from single blocks of fine-grained sandstone and depict both Buddhist and Hindu divinities. Although the sculptures reveal traditional Indian stylistic influences, one can also see that the Khmer artists strove to break away from their mentors. Moving away from the Indian tradition of sculpting in high-relief, the Khmers attempted to make free-standing statues, supported by an arch or by an attribute of the divinity (such as a piece of clothing or a hand-held object).

In the 7th and 8th centuries, the power base shifted north to the plains east of the Tonle Sap Lake. Funan’s dominance ended when King Isanavarman I established the first capital of this new power centre (called ‘Zhenla’) at ‘Ishanapura’ (Sambor) in present day Kompong Thom province. In the 8th century, Zhenla was divided into two competing powers, ‘Land Zhenla’ and ‘Water Zhenla’. This situation remained until Jayavarman II set up a capital on Mount Mahendraparvata (Phnom Kulen) in the Angkor region in 802 and successfully unified the Khmer people.

The majority of the sculptures from Zhenla and Funan depict Vishnu, while another popular deity, Shiva, is usually symbolised by a linga (stone phallus). Pre-Angkorian sculptors often combined these two Hindu divinities into one deity, called Harihara. Statues of Buddha and other Buddhist divinities were also popular with pre-Angkorian artists of both Funan and Zhenla. The Zhenla period saw an increase in relief carvings on stone lintels and pediments.

• Angkor period

Cambodia is rich in sandstone deposits. Throughout the Angkorian period, sandstone was quarried from the Kulen hills (to the north of Angkor) and floated on rafts along rivers and canals to the building sites.

The first recognisable art style of the Angkorian period is the Kulen style (c.825-75), named after the hill on which Jayavarman II built his capital and had his royal consecration ceremony initiating the cult of the devaraja (god-king) which would be followed by all subsequent Angkorian kings. This style was the first to dispense with supporting arches - as a result the figures became heavier. The body is sculpted rigidly upright with distinctive Khmer features - round faces and broad brows.

The Koh Ker style (941-944) shows another interesting development with gigantic figures - human and animal, captured in dynamic movement. ‘The Wrestlers’ and the ‘Monkey Kings, Valin and Sugriva’, are good examples of this style. In contrast, the Banteay Srei style of the late 10th century is unique in the intricacy and richness of the decoration, and the warm tones of the pink sandstone.

The statues of the Baphuon style (1010-1080) are slim and graceful. This was made possible by adding subtle supports behind the ankles. The eyes are often incised and they may have been fitted with gems and precious metals.

The Angkor Wat style (1100-1175) presents the highest achievements in architecture and ornamentation of buildings and bas-reliefs. Besides the world famous Angkor Wat temple, Phimai temple (in Thailand) was also constructed during this period. Sculpted figures are upright, muscular and formal, and are prominently adorned with ornate belts and jewelled necklaces and bracelets.

The Bayon style of the late 12th to early 13th century, produced a great number of Buddhist images due to the religious preference of King Jayavarman VII. Still highly revered today as one of the greatest Khmer kings, Jayavarman VII, although a devout Buddhist, was tolerant of other religions as evidenced by the combination of Hindu and Buddhist symbols in Bayon art. An example of this is the portrayal of Buddha wearing a diadem (ornamented crown) similar to that normally worn by Vishnu. The intention was to portray the Buddha as a powerful universal monarch in keeping with the contemporary images of Hindu gods. Another defining aspect of the Bayon style is the development of portraiture-particularly the portrayal of royalty in the guise of Buddhist deities.

• Post-Angkor period

Not long after the end of Jayavarman VII’s reign, stone art production and monumental temple building become almost non-existent in Khmer culture. With the wide-spread conversion to Theravada Buddhism (c.15th century), wood becomes the primary medium for Khmer sculpture. Although wood would have certainly been used for statues since pre-Angkorian times, due to its susceptibility to rapid decay, only a small number of wood statues have survived from the late Angkorian period.

In post-Angkorian wood sculpture, artists began applying one or two layers of lacquer which played a decorative as well as protective role. Also during this period, artists developed the technique of decorating wood figures with encrusted ornaments - frequently using ivory, mother-of-pearl, or vitrified lead inlays. Most of the wooden statues in the museum’s collection were carved in the last few centuries. One can see varied influences in many of the post-Angkorian works of art.

Khmer art history , About Cambodia