283 - A LARGE STANDING CARVED MALACHITE VISHNU, ANGKOR PERIOD, KULEN STYLE 9TH CENTURY

A LARGE STANDING CARVED MALACHITE VISHNU, ANGKOR PERIOD, KULEN STYLE 9TH CENTURY Dimensions: Height 40 cm Wide 15 cm Depth 7 cm without base Weight: 3.300 grams with base This rare fragmentary sculpture of Vishnu, carved from malachite, exemplifies early Khmer iconography during the Kulen styleperiod. The god stands in a composed, frontal posture, with broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and a deeply pleatedsampotsecured by a thick belt. Though the arms and lower legs are now missing, the form and attire suggest Vishnu in his classic four-armed manifestation, once holding the divine emblems: conch, discus, mace, and lotus. The figure’s face is calm and idealized, with a soft smile, almond-shaped eyes, and elongated earlobes. Atall cylindrical headdress (mukuta) crowns the head, a distinctive feature of early Angkorian depictions of Vishnu. What sets this sculpture apart is its material: malachite, a vivid green copper carbonate mineral rarely used at this scale for figural carving in Khmer art. The surface displays rich blue-green hues, mottled with natural variations in the stone, giving the sculpture a striking presence and a unique luster that enhances the flowing lines of the figure. Fragmentary. Both arms and the lower legs are missing. Surface shows areas of natural wear, pitting, and mineral texture consistent with ancient carving. Despite these losses, the facial features, crown, and garment folds remain clearly legible and exceptionally well-defined for a hardstone work of this period. While most Khmer sculptures of this period are executed in sandstone or bronze, this example, rendered in malachite, is exceptionally rare and distinguished by its remarkable scale and decorative impact. The stone’s symbolic associations with healing, protection, and divine energy further underscore the spiritual significance of the figure. It may have been enshrined in a royal or temple setting associated with Vishnu worship.