This is a sandstone statue of Shiva, which originated from gallery Number 9 of the Bakorng Monument, which is the first mountain temple at Hariharalaya, in the Roluos region of Siem Reap province. It was registered into the collection of the National Museum in 1951.
Prior to this, the statue was erected as a decoration in the garden the house of the chief justice of the Siem Reap court from1947 to 1951. Experts confirm it is in the Preah Ko style of the late 9th century Angkorian period.
This statue was sculpted at Hariharalaya, the capital of King Indrawarman I. Shiva is portrayed to appearance of authoritative, a similar sculpture of Vishnu. In the studied of statues, experts have noted a major transformation, especially in the art of sculpture.
This is the reason for classifying this Preah Ko style statue, in the Angkorian period. The period saw a complete abandonment of the use of the horseshoe-shaped stabilizing support. The flexing form of statues also ceased and was replaced by the erect posture form accompanied by serious and authoritative of expressions. This Preah Ko style statue is a good example.
Like the of Vishnu statue, this image of Shiva wears a cone-like crown with layered lotus petals that decorated on the exterior. The hairstyle changed from long braided hair and now evolved as a to tube form. There is a crescent moon on chignon, and a third eye on his forehead, the chest is bulging to portray his supreme authority.