“This is Shiva in the form of a young hermit or ascetic. The sculpture is made of sandstone. Originally it existed in a very old the brick temple, located in a distant place named Kampong Champkeo that was formerly in Stung Treng Province, but is now part of Veun Sai District, Ratanakiri Province. The mount on which the temple is located is called Tuol Prasat Preah Put. Mr. Klein discovered this statue which he presented to registered in the collection of the National Museum of Cambodia in 1920.
Experts in Khmer art say it was created in the 7th century, but are unable to attribute a specific style of the pre-Angkorian period. This statue has a slim and the erect body, dressing in short Sampot, which is quite unusual. The hem of the cloth is carved in the shape of waves, which is rarely seem in Khmer art. One of the hands holds the vase with suggest this image is Shiva, or a young hermit. Shiva appearing as a human is rare in early Khmer art. Where instead, he often represented by a Linga. There were several stabilizing poles, but only one connecting the hand and toes remains. The sculptors did not finish the arms and legs, as well as the statues from the Phnom Da
era.”