This is a sandstone torso of a male deity. It originated from Phnom Bak Kheng, Angkor, in Siem Reap Province. From where it was taken to registered into the collection of National Museum in 1931.
This statue serves as a model of the Bak Kheng style of the early 10th century Angkorian period, during the reign of the King Yasovaraman I, from 889 to 910 CE. King Yasovaraman I, was the first to build the Angkorean Capital, which he named Yashodharapura. He moves to the capital from Hariharalaya, currently, the Roluos region toYashodharapura, which is Angkor today, making Phnom Bak Kheng, a state temple and a symbol of royalty for the King to use for worship.
Phnom Bak Kheng is situated of the center of Angkor city and has another name, Phnom Kan Dal, which means the central mountain. The evolution of Khmer art is divided into three main periods: Pre-Angkorian period, from the 6th to the 9th century; Angkorian period, from the late 9th to the 14th century; and Post-Angkorian period, from the 15th to the 19th century.
The period after the 19th century is called the modern period. The classification of this periods was inspired by transformations, political events, architecture, language and arts. Statue styles are key criteria that mirror these classifications.
Single statue of the Angkorian period are usually large and powerful, but do not portrait naturalist forms. Faces were sculpted to appear serious and authoritative, often excepting an erect posture. The divinity wears a garment with multiple folds that a neatly crafted to reflect the Bak Kheng style. Similar Bas-reliefs to this sculpture can be found on temple walls and lintels.
The waistline of the garment is thick and tied under a large belt with two ends hanging on both side of the body. The ends of the garment are in the form of overlapping fishtails, which characteristic of the Bak Kheng style.