This is a sandstone statue of King Jayavarman VII. It is originated from Angkor in Siem Reap Province. The head was dicovered near the east gate of Angkor Thom, while the body was found at Krol Romeas compound, which is located within Angkor Thom. Following their discovery, the authorities brought the pieces to registered into the collection of the National Museum of Cambodia.
Experts of Khmer art, especially George Cœdès, studied this statue and came to conclusion that it is King Jayavarman VII and sculpted in the late 12th or early 13th century, when he ruled the Khmer Empire. This statue is in a meditation pose, a common posture of many sculptures that erected throughout the empire at this time.
It is a magnificent masterpiece that is greatly revealed by the Khmer people. But surprisingly, only a few statues in this form remain. The heads slant slightly forward, and his eyes gaze downward. This gestures suggest meditation with his mind no longer preoccupied by the problems of the world.
The statue also reflects the mastery sculptors of this time and using skillful techniques to shape the body, muscles, and trashes the bones, giving the king assembling of life. His face bears a gentles expression, be like the great influence he had on Khmer society of this era.