A SANDSTONE FIGURE OF LAKSHMI, ANGKOR WAT STYLE, ANGKOR PERIOD

Khmer Empire, first half of the 12^th century. Finely carved standing in samabhanga, clad in a long, richly pleated sampot secured at the waist by a belt visible on the reverse obscured in the front by the folded-over flange above the fishtail hem falling along the center. Her serene expression with large almond-shaped eyes, full lips forming a calm smile, and a broad nose, her hair arranged into a high conical chignon behind the flaring foliate tiara.

Provenance: Austrian private collection.
Condition: Very good condition, commensurate with age. Extensive wear, signs of weathering and erosion, encrustations, nicks, chips, scratches, and obvious losses.

Weight: 44.3 kg (incl. stand)
Dimensions: Height 92 cm (excl. stand), 103 cm (incl. stand)

Mounted on a metal base. (2)

Angkor Wat, erected by King Suryavarman II (r. 1113 - circa 1150), the great ruler of the Khmer empire, was built both as the royal temple complex dedicated to the Hindu deity Vishnu and as the ruler’s personal mausoleum. The magnitude of this building program underscored the intention of the King to establish his authority and strength as a leader. By linking himself directly to Vishnu, the deity associated with restoring cosmic order, he legitimized his spiritual and worldly power. This is captured aesthetically in the sturdy figural proportions and powerfully frontal images created during his time, evident here in this present sculpture of Vishnu.

The style of Angkor Wat seen here harks back to the earlier styles of the Koh Ker and Pre Rup traditions of the tenth century, rather than the preceding style of the Baphuon period. Lerner states that for a “ruler concerned with martial campaigns and responsible for such a gigantic personal monument as Angkor Wat, the Baphuon figural style may have appeared too consciously unheroic and sensuous.” (see Martin Lerner, Ancient Khmer Sculpture, New York, 1994, p. 46). Instead, rather than soft contours, each element has weight. The sampot for example is made of thick material, and the face and crown show solidity too, with the broad face firmly supporting the conical diadem decorated in a linear and formulaic patterning.

Literature comparison:
Compare a closely related sandstone figure of a goddess, 62.2 cm high, dated 1100-1150, in the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, accession number B65S2.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 30 March 2006, lot 113
Price: USD 28,800 or approx. EUR 42,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A sandstone figure of a female deity, Khmer, Angkor Wat style, 12^th century
Expert remark: Compare the related modeling and manner of carving with similar headdress and pleated sampot with fishtail fold. Note the jewelry and the size (63 cm).

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Christie’s London, 11 May 2016, lot 113
Price: GBP 27,500 or approx. EUR 51,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A sandstone figure of Lakshmi, Khmer, Angkor Wat period, 12^th century
Expert remark: Compare the related modeling and manner of carving with similar headdress and pleated sampot, albeit lacking the fishtail fold. Note also the jewelry and the size (73 cm).