Male Figure

Third quarter 11th century

Cambodia

Sandstone

H. 41 1/2 x W. 17 x D. 9 in. (H. 105.4 cm)

Asia Society, New York: Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection, 1979.66

Provenance

John D. Rockefeller 3rd, New York, NY; acquired from Spink & Son Ltd., London, September 30, 1967.

The Asia Society, New York, NY, bequest of John D. Rockefeller 3rd, New York, NY, 1979.

Licensing inquiries

The sculptor of this intriguing image devoted much time in carving the detailed garments: the vertical pleats of the short skirtlike garment (sampot) are elegant and more numerous than those found in earlier Cambodian sculptures, and delicate eight-petaled flowers are incised into the excess folds on the left thigh. Jeweled pendants hang from the low-slung belt, which has fine patterns that seem to represent metal rather than cloth. It is impossible to tell whether this male figure was a temple guardian or commemorated a royal figure. Both royalty and guardians wore such belts and a definitive identification would depend on the placement of the figure in a temple, which is unknown.