The Khmer Empire (c. 802–1431 CE) ruled Southeast Asia from Cambodia, famed for its monumental architecture like Angkor Wat. Masters of irrigation and stone carving, they blended Hindu and Buddhist traditions.
The sculpture illustrates the bhūmisparśa mudrā, the “earth-touching gesture,” one of the most important hand gestures in Buddhist art. It symbolizes unshakable resolve, truth, and the moment of awakening, portraied by Shakyamuni.
The statue depicts Vajrasattva holding a vajra (thunderbolt) in the right hand and a ghanta (bell) in the left.
Carved c. 1200 CE, this sandstone head from Cambodia’s Preah Khan crowns a deva with a lotus tiara.
Cast during the Angkor period (9th–15th centuries), this bronze piece shows a multiheaded naga.
Cast around the 12th century, this bronze figure from Cambodia seats a meditating Buddha under a multi-headed naga hood.