Finely carved to depict an imposing anthropomorphic guardian with a fierce gaze, displaying the head of a lion and body of a man, kneeling on a square plinth, wearing a pleated sampot, holding a vajra in his right hand. Note the unusually elaborate coiffure, especially at the backside of the head.

Provenance: An old collection in the United States, formed between the 1970s and 1990s, by repute acquired as part of a deaccession from an American museum. A private collection in California, United States, acquired from the above.
Condition: Overall good condition, commensurate with age. Extensive wear, some losses, dents, structural cracks with associated old fills, signs of weathering and erosion, drilled to underside of platform. Fine, naturally grown patina.

Dimensions: Height 84 cm

Such imposing figures, a symbol of both caution and importance, once served as guardians at the gates and entrances of sacred temple sites throughout Southeast Asia. The mythical composition of the figure, in addition to the presence of a celestial weapon, alludes to this being a divine being with powers far greater than that of any mortal. The iconography, an evolutionary mix of lion imagery with fierce deities, is one repeated throughout the ancient world, from the Gates of Ishtar to the Temple of Todaiji.

Expert’s note: The figure compares well against closely related examples that have come on the market in the last century, however also exhibits subtle stylistic differences from each that make connecting it to any specific temple site or region difficult. This is further confounded by the fact that many known sites are in varied states of disarray and near complete ruin. For example, if compared with the Banteay Srei guardians, we see that the vajra is proportionally much larger, and the style of the face is much more rectangular. The two are clearly from different areas. In addition to the old restorations, the figure exhibits other attractive signs of weathering, including complex organic growth in the form of black algae (upper torso) and crustose lichens (left knee), and is decidedly ancient. We must conclude that the figure is from a yet unknown site somewhere else in the vast ancient Khmer empire, an empire that at its peak was larger than the Byzantine Empire.

Literature comparison:
Compare a closely related sandstone figure of Narasimha, 82.5 cm high, Banteay Srei style, dated to the late 10^th century, in the CB National Museum, inventory number Ka.786. Note the difference in gaze, being downward facing versus straight-on, the noticeably smaller vajra, and the thicker platform. Interestingly, note the very similar damage to the right arm and right thigh, damage that is also shared to some extent with a comparison from Christie’s below. The figure in the CB National Museum appears to exhibit fewer characteristic signs of surface weathering than the present lot and in comparison has the feeling of being a younger figure.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie’s Paris, 6 June 2011, lot 381
Price: EUR 97,000 or approx. EUR 115,000 adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: An important sandstone figure of a lion-headed guardian, Khmer, Koh Ker style, mid-10^th century
Expert remark: The figures share several characteristics. The Christie’s example, however, attributed to Koh Ker, has a style that is somewhat fleshier and more playful. It also has a platform adorned with lotus petals. Note the identical size (84 cm) and similar areas of damage to the right arm and thigh.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely Related
Auction: Christie’s Amsterdam, 20 November 2001, lot 215.
Price: EUR 19,975 or approx. EUR 31,500 adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A Khmer, Angkor Vat style, sandstone figure of a lion-headed guardian
Expert remark: Stylistically, the body is similar at first appearance, but the Christie’s figure has significantly less detail. The lack of finer carving work is most notable on the face, with less teeth, larger swirls on the muzzle, and plain convex eyes. It is also significantly smaller (55 cm).