“This is a sandstone statue of a hunchback. It originated from Prasat Thom Temple at Koh Ker in Sroyong commune, Kulen District, Preah Viheah Province. It was looted from the temple during the 1980s or 1990s, that resulted in it being illegally traded all the way to Europe.
A British national name Douglas Lackford bought the statue which she returned to the rightful owner, Cambodia, on 10th of September in 2002. This object is now part of the collection of the National Museum. Khmer experts have concluded it is in the Koh Ker style of the 10th century Angkorian period under the reign of King Jayavarman IV, from 921 to 941 CE. This statue is unique among the Koh Ker style works; it doesn’t have any carving of jewelry or decoration. It squats on the left folded leg, with the right one raised slightly. The head is missing, and both hands are broken, the left at the forearm and the right at the wrist. He wears a Sampot Chongkben above the knee. Based on old photographs from the Angkor Conservation in 1934, this statue has a Sampeah gesture, which meaning two palms placed together in greeting. From the photo we see the hands were broken and later repaired. However, the greeting gesture hands are now missing along with the right toe. It should be noted that the statues of koh Ker style were generally carved out of one stone block.”