This is a sandstone statue of Garuda. It originated from Koh Ker Temple in Preah Vihear Province. In the year 2000, the Thai government returned this work to Cambodia and it has been registered in the collection of the National Museum of Cambodia.
Khmer art experts have determined this statue is in the Koh Ker style of the 10th century, Angkorian period. Garuda played a key role in Khmer art, through the construction of monuments, religious beliefs, sculpture, and paintings. It emerged in the 7th century, pre-Angkorian period in the Sambo Prey Kuk style, which was adapted to create the lintel above the door of this museum.
He later, continues to appear in Kulen and the Preah Ko styles, where Garuda was shown as the vehicle of Vishnu for the first time. A clearly example of this is the lintel about the door of the National Museum, which is in the Preah Ko style. In this work of art, Garuda is depicted caching a Naga, it is a fragment of pedestal regionally associated with a sculpture that remain unidentified. The Garuda is lavoursly adorned with jewelry. In this post, he elegantly stands to spread his wings, with one hand clasping the Naga head. His body projects power and courage. All these characteristics resonated the Koh Ker Style, during the reign of the King Jayavaraman IV from the year 921 to 941 CE.