Skip to main content

The Angkorian era

The Angkorian era is a time of prosperity for Cambodia, which will last several centuries (9th -15th centuries). The kings have full religious, political, economic, cultural and artistic powers. Several monarchs will greatly influence this era by their personality traits.

Jayavarman II (c.770-c.850)
King Jayavarman II initiated the pacification and the unification of the two kingdoms of Tchen-la, and freed them from the rule of Java.

Founder of the Angkorian monarchy, upon his return from Java, King Jayavarman II settled in Indrapura, most probably present-day Banteay Prei Nokor, in Tbaung Khmum district, Kampong Cham province.

Later, he established himself in Hariharálaya (Roluos) in Sotrnikum district, Siem Reap province, before settling in Mahendraparvata (Mahá + Indra + Parvata), the Kulen Mountain, where he instituted Devarája cult.

The king built numerous temples on Phom Kulen to house stone and precious metal Siva linga.

This tradition continued throughout the reigns of several kings during the Angkorian era.

Jayavarman II died in Hariharálaya in 850 and was posthumously named Preah Paramesvara. The artistic output of the era is referred to as the Kulen style.

Popular posts from this blog

Brahmanism or Hinduism

Brahmanism and Buddhism are two religions from India that were practiced in Cambodia. Before the Christian era, India had four sacred texts, rgveda, yajurveda, sámaveda and later, atharvaveda, which together are named the Veda. Brahmanism is the religious concept derived from these texts. According to Indian philosophy, India is seen as the universe and the great Trimúrti gods, Brahma, Visnu and Siva, represent the three stages of the primitive matter: creation (Brahma), conservation (Visnu) and dissolution (Siva). In the Brahmanic and Buddhist triads found in Khmer art, the supreme god is positioned in the centre. Gods had to be personified for humans to relate to their power. These three gods are the emanations of a unique supreme god and constitute the Trimúrti. The supreme god is sometimes Siva. Visnu and Siva are the more popular Brahmanist gtods; whereas Brahma himself does not seem to have been popular in Khmer art. Certain gods are seen as symbols of India’s n...
Read more

Kampong Preah style (706-800)

This art form reflects a dark period in the history of Cambodia caused by the dislocation of Tchen-la into two kingdoms. The style of Kampong Preah is similar to that of Prei Khmeng, although an increasing number of statues are carved in a plainer fashion, in particular the folded edge of the sampot and the lengthwise fold. Figure11. Durga(?) Unknown origin H: 141 cm Ka. 318 The presence of the supporting arch, evidence of which can be seen in the marks at the back of the head, and the two-armed shoulders indicate that this deity is Durga. The almond-eyes, sharp curved eyebrows, breasts, folds beneath the breasts, slender hips and, lastly the cylindrical mitre are characteristics of a classic Kampong Preah style sculpture. The simplified fold and pleats of the garment show great elegance. The face expresses natural beauty, with its curved upper lip and dimple in the chin. On her forehead, that the statue has probably already been consecrated. Fig...
Read more

Banteay Srei style

Figure24. Female deity Unknown origin H:57 cm Ka. 800 It is always difficult to distinguish between Banteay Srei and Pre Rup style deities wearing the mukuta. The deities are almost the same size and the decorative details are similar. However, the mukuta can provide some information; while it is sculpted in a conical shape in the Pre Rup style, it looks like a truncated cone in the Banteay Srei style and is decorated with a curling braid and a garland of large pearls(?) at its base. This fashion will remain in subsequent style. Figure25. Female deity Unknown origin H: 67 cm Ka. 681 The third eye one her forehead indicates that this deity is probably Sarasvati, Brahma's sakti. It is almost identical to the previous statue (Ka. 800), which leads us to assume the existence of a school from which these two sculptures come. The museum's restoration team worked at length on this small piece to remove a first layer of paint, under which were found tw...
Read more