L'art Khmer Classique: Monuments du Quadrant Nord-est

Abstract

L'ART KHMfeR CLASSIQUE: monuments du quadrant nord-est. By Henri Parmentier. (Publns. Ecole Francaise Extr. Orient. XXIX bis. 2 vols.) Paris: Editions dyArt et d'Histoire, 1939. 11X7 inches; 364pages; x-fLXXIII pages (plans); illustrations and plans 275/. M. Parmentier, although he has now retired from the active service of the Ecole Francaise d'Extreme-Orient, is happily still continuing his valuable studies of Khmer art and architecture. In vols XXI and XXII (together with a Supplement in vol. XXXV) of the School's Publications he has already completed his work on the earliest forms of Khmer, the Primitive or preAngkorian, art. In the volumes under review he presents us with the firstfruits of his profound and detailed studies of the classic period of Khmer art, dating from the beginning of the ninth century (the foundation of Angkor) right up to the fifteenth century, which marks the close of the Khmer Empire. For the purpose of studying the classic art of ancient Cambodia he has arbitrarily (as he says), but in default of any known political or geographical divisions, partitioned the state into four quadrants, taking his centre line through the city of Angkor Thom, but reserving on one side the Angkor group itself, which will be the object of a separate work. The present volumes are devoted to the study of the monuments in the northeastern quadrant, which includes north-eastern Cambodia together with a neighbouring region of the French Lao states. The principal monuments in this section are the group of Koh Ker which have never yet been the object of any serious study, the temple of Prah Vihar, the temple, Vat Ph'u, situated near Bassac on the Mekong, the temple of Banteai Srei, about 20 kilometres from Angkor, and the temple of Khna Sen Kev. Koh Ker, which is situated approximately 140 N. by 104-5? E., was for a short time the capital city of the Khmer Empire. Practically all the monuments in this city bear dates of the reign of Jayavarman IV early in the tenth century. This district is now deserted, and it is still a matter for conjecture why this king removed his capital from Angkor to such a poor and sparse region. The monuments and sculpture are of a definite character however and provide an excellent guide to this particular period of Khmer art and architecture. The temple of Prah Vihar is situated on a mountain in the Dang Rek range, and covers a distance of about half a mile rising to the actual summit. A short account of this remarkable achievement of the Khmer was published by the present reviewer in 'Indian art and letters/ vol. VIII (New Series), No. 2 (J935)The temple, Vat Ph'u, has also been visited by the reviewer and, from its situation on a hill, commands a wide view over the surrounding plain. The temple of Banteai Srei is well known to all visitors to Angkor, and, though in miniature, is one of the most exquisite examples of tenth-century architecture and sculpture. All these temples and a number of other less important ones are described with a wealth of detail, and the illustrations, as well as the volume devoted to the architectural plans, are as complete as they can be made. The whole work is a monument to M. Parmentier's industry and skill. R. le M.