106 - A STANDING SANDSTONE VISHNU, BAPHUON PERIOD

A STANDING SANDSTONE VISHNU, BAPHUON PERIOD Dimensions: Height 74 cm Wide 24 cm Depth 13 cm without base Weight: 16,4 Kilograms with base This elegant sandstone sculpture represents a youthful male divinity—Vishnu from the Baphuon period of the Khmer Empire in the 11th century. Characterized by graceful symmetry and refined carving, the figure exhibits the serene, idealized aesthetic of Baphuon-style statuary, a period known for its sophisticated temple architecture and sculptural finesse. The figure stands upright in a poised and frontal posture, with a slightly flexed stance that imparts gentle vitality. The soft modeling of the torso, high waist, and elongated proportions reflect the classical ideal of divine beauty in Khmer art. The face is serene and youthful, with almond-shaped eyes beneath arched brows, a faint smile, and elongated earlobes bearing remnants of large ear ornaments. The coiffure consists of vertically striated hair pulled into a cylindrical topknot (jatāmukuṭa), encircled by a band of rounded beads or lotus buds—features closely associated with depictions of Vishnu in this period. The figure wears a short sampot gathered in a central, prominent knot, with incised pleats and curvilinear patterns indicating flowing fabric. While the arms and lower right leg are missing, the remaining composition maintains its elegance and harmony. The carving on the reverse is less detailed, suggesting the sculpture may have originally been placed in a niche or against a temple wall. Losses to both arms and lower leg; surface wear and mineral encrustations consistent with age. Mounted on a modern metal base for support and display. The combination of costume, hairstyle, and proportion places this sculpture firmly within the Baphuon style of the 11th century—a phase that bridges the earlier Pre Rup/Khleang styles and the later robust expressiveness of the Angkor Wat period. Figures of this kind were typically enshrined in temple sanctuaries as cult images or guardian deities.