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

Preah Ko style (875-893)

Figure13. Rajendradevi or Gauri Western sanctuary, southern side, Lolei temple, Roluos, Siem Reap H: 150 cm Ka. 1645 B. 289 B. 42, 4 Acquired by the museum in October 1920 The Khmer language inscription carved on the pier of one of Lolei temple’s sanctuaries tells us that King Yasovarman erected statues of Siva and his wife as representations of his maternal grandparents. The sculpture of Siva’s wife located in the western sanctuary is commonly called Rajendradevi. But according to another inscription, written in Sanskrit, this deity is Siva’s wife Gauri, goddess of beauty. Some researchers have suggested it might be a 12 th copy of Queen Rajendradevi. The artist copied the original 9 th century-style of the body and followed 12 th century fashion for the hairstyle. Indeed, the diadem and the chignon cover are similar to 12 th century designs. The cylindrical chignon cover is adorned with trabak chhouk, or lotus petals, in five concentric and decreasing ...
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

The Preah Neang Deví as the guardian deity of the house

The role of the Preah Neang Deví as guardian of the house is almost identical to the role of the Preah Neang Deví protector of the country. But the role of the former does not extend beyond the scope of inhabited places. We know that the god and the goddess have no physical from, no ‘rúpa’. In some instances, they are represented by deified object. Ang Choulean wrote that, “the guardian of the house, in Khmer ‘mnán phdah’, is a supernatural being that plays a rather minor role. It is associated with purity, cleanliness and domestic tidiness”. Present-day Khmers honors two deities, ‘Preah Phúm’, the guardian of the land, and ‘Mneang Phteah’ or ‘Neak Chumneang Phteah’, the guardian of the house, who grants prosperity and worldly possessions. In both cases, the deities are not symbolized by any objects. We know that Visnu’s wife has two names, Bhúdeví – from the Sanskrit word ‘Bhú’, which means land – symbolizes the guardian of the land (of the house), and Laksmí the g...
Read more