Untitled

Unknown

7th century · Sandstone · Asian Art

This over-life-size head of the Buddha is a testament to the grandeur of the monumental sculptural tradition in the Zhenla kingdom. It was carved from a sandstone characteristic of southern Cambodia, which is consistent with its stylistic assignment to Angkor Borei or a related site. The Buddha has a strong, broad face; lightly modeled eyelids and pupils; and full lips that turn up at the corners in a hint of a smile. The hair curls, like those of other Buddhas from this period and region, are large and flat—a memory of the southern Indian style favored in the early period of contact. Deaccessioned by The Metropolitan Museum of Art for return to the Kingdom of Cambodia, 2023

Artist

Unknown

Date

7th century

Medium

Sandstone

Culture

Southern Cambodia

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Gift of Doris Wiener, 2005