Sculpture of Angkor and ancient Cambodia: millennium of glory

Abstract

The 1000-year artistic legacy of Cambodia, including some of the most beautiful works of art and architecture, is displayed in the pages of this encyclopaedic, illustrated volume. Published to coincide with the exhibition opening in Paris in 1997 which then travels to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, it examines the mysterious culture that flourished on the mainland of Southeast Asia between 600 and 1600 AD. Centred on the northern shores of Cambodia's Great Lake, the Tonle Sap, and extending westward into eastern Thailand, the civilization reached its climax in the early 12th century AD, with the construction of Angkor Wat. Recent peace accords and a new democratic assembly have made this historic study possible. Embracing both Buddhist and Hindu traditions, the sculpture ranges from monumental works in sandstone representing gods and goddesses, guardians, female dancers and legendary creatures, to refined ritual and ceremonial bronzes. The religion, iconography, architecture and symbolism of this mysterious country is described against a historical background, depicting the various cultural environments through the decades. Together with a catalogue, stylistic analysis, glossary, timeline, bibliography and index, this work reveals insights to a culture that is still relatively unknown.