On the Development of the Relief Images of the Goddesses in the Khmer Classical Period

Abstract

In Cambodia's Angkor, there are a number of monuments built by the kings of Khmer empire. Only a few of them have been dated by an epigraphical study done by a French scholar, Professor George Coedès. In his book Pour Mieux Comprendre Angkor (1947), Coedès has provided a list of the dated monuments, which is a valuable reference for reading the inscription.In both Augusts of 1966 and 1967, the present writer conducted research on the dated documents of Angkor and found that many of the goddesses, which are usually about one meter high, are on the sides of the buildings. The present article will describe the goddesses, noting their artistic style, and indicating where they can be found. This approach is intended to illuminate the development of the finished form of these through the Khmer Classical Period. Following the description (fig. 1-fig. 14), the present writer provides, by way of conclusion, the characteristics of the four “types”. These should enable us to classify common elements, i. e., general appearance, the style of the loincloth, etc. (see fig. 15).“A type”:1) Only three examples survive: Preah Kô (879), Bakong (881), and Lolei (893).2) The whole body, including the head and feet, always faces directly forward and stands very erect.3) Upper part of two parts: One is triangular and the other is a half-circle shape.“B type”:1) Only three were found: Phnom Bakheng (about 900), Mebon Oriental (952), and Prè Rup. (961).2) The whole body stands erect, but the fact is a little turned and the feet face outward.3) The upper part of the loincloth is a half-circle shape; the triangle shape appears once: Mébon Oriental is the only exception. Its loincloth is of the “A type” while its body is of the “B type”. The niche and loincloth were an imatation of the Lolei which belongs to the “A type”. The building was in the middle of the lake (which dried up) as was the Lolei. The position of the face and feet reflect the style of that time (the “B type”).“C type”1) Only two were found: Bantéay Srei (967) and Baphuon (about, 1060).2) The body is in a relaxed position known as “Dvinanga” and “Trivanga” in Sanskrit.3) The upper part of the loincloth has a pear-shaped flap of material hanging down from the waist.“D type”1) Only four were found; Angkor, Vat (First half of the twelfth century), Ta Prohm (1186), Preah Khan (1191), and Bayon (end of the twelfth century).2) The body is in a straight but relaxed position.3) A separate piece of material is added to the costume as decoration. In Angkor Vat and a Prohm is usually hangs at the side. But in Preah Khan and Bayon, it hangs from the middle of the waist.An overview of all the “types” suggests that the costumes of “types” A, B, and are the same as that of a common women. The “D type”, however, represents the dancers of the royal court during that period; this costume has been handed down to the present day and is worn by contemporary dancers.