“This is a fragment of a miniature temple made of bronze. The whole object weighs 2.2 kilograms. The item was brought from Mongkul Borey district, Banteay Meanchey Province, for display and later registered into the collection of the National Museum. So far, researchers have not been able to determine the date and period to which this work belongs.
The decoration of this object has two parts. The base has a rectangular shape. Each side has lotus flowers carving that atop by leaf shaped the dots. The center of the bottom section features a Rahu’s head with huge eyes, a large nose, and a long beard that scratches all a way down.
The upper section is the main body of the temple; it has eight sides. Each decorated with a figure of the Buddha in meditation. Buddha is seated on the coiled body of a Naga, whose head hovers over to protect him. All the figures of the Buddha and Naga are carefully carved using niches and they all look almost identical.
To date, researchers have not been able to precisely determine the function and use of this miniature temple. It is assumed that this object was created for use in Buddhist worship ceremonies in past times.