Head of Vishnu; Cambodia, Khmer Empire, pre Angkor period, 18th-19th century.

Head of Vishnu; Cambodia, Khmer Empire, pre Angkor period, 18th-19th century.
Polished stone.
Attached certificate issued by the specialist Le My Hao.
Work exhibited at Feriarte 2008.
Measurements: 33 x 16 x 14 cm; 42 x 18 x 18 x 18 cm (with stand).
Head carved in stone representing the face of the god Vishnu. The finish of the lower area indicates that originally the piece was part of a larger sculpture, probably full body. Outside India, this divinity acquires its own attributes, as we see in this Cambodian piece. Usually this god is represented as a being of human form, blue skin and four arms holding the lotus flower, a conch shell, a golden mace and a ring. He is frequently seen seated, resting on a lotus flower, with his consort Laksmi sitting on one of his knees. In this case, his face exudes serenity, given the symmetry of his features. The earlobes are elongated, symbolizing wisdom and aristocratic origin.
The Khmer or Khmer is one of the most important cultures developed in Indochina. At the beginning of the 7th century, the first inscriptions in their language appear in the Indian kingdom of Tshenla, located in the middle course of the Mekong River. The Khmer reorganized politically, and in the 9th century achieved the unity of present-day Cambodia under the reign of Jayavarman II (802-850), founder of the kingdom of Angkor. This monarch had spent his youth in the refined court of the sailendra of Java, so he brought to his country an important influence of the Javanese culture, as well as the courtly protocol of that dynasty. Khmer art reached its moment of splendor during the period of Angkor, developed between the IX and XIII centuries, and reached very different fields, such as textiles, lacquer, ceramics, goldsmithery, etc. As for Khmer sculpture, from the 7th century it began to separate from the Indian influence and, after a long process of stylistic evolution, it developed its own original language, consolidated in the 10th century. It will be mainly carved in stone and with religious themes, although on numerous occasions the sacred theme becomes a mere excuse to represent courtly scenes, even if they feature gods. Hence the greater degree of realism with respect to Indian art, since the artists took royal courtiers as models. The result is admirable images of gods of imposing presence, endowed with a certain feminine sensuality and sophisticated beauty.