The study of Cambodian and Thai sculpture dating from the 10th to 14th centuries is primarily the study of the civilization and culture of the Khmer empire. The Khmers inhabited and controlled parts of mainland Southeast Asia from the 6th century onward. Historically, they are best known for the era called the Angkor period (c. 802-1431), named for the Khmer capital. Angkor remains one of the most remarkable cities in world history and is noted for the vast number of breathtaking monuments constructed there from the 10th to 13th centuries. These structures range from relatively small temples to the gigantic temple mountains of Baphuon and Angkor Wat. Most of the temples are profusely decorated, and Khmer sculpture is generally dated by reference to such monuments, with classifications such as 'Baphuon style.'
This pair of standing figures, one male and one female, is assigned to the Bayon style, referring to Jayavarman VII's city within a city, Angkor Thom, which had as its center the Bayon, a temple mountain constructed c. 1180-c. 1230. The oval shape of the face and the mild elongation of the features are characteristic of works dating to the end of the Angkor period, and in particular at Bayon. The man wears a short skirtlike garment, or sampot, and a large belt decorated with an incised floral pattern. The woman wears a longer sarong and a prominent belt. Both wear heavy earrings, and have elongated earlobes. The statues are slightly worn; however, the stylized detailing of the woman's hair and the man's crown indicates that the garments probably had more detailing than is now evident. These figures have often been identified as a royal couple, probably owing to the lack of the distinguishing characteristics that would be associated with Hindu deities.
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The study of Cambodian and Thai sculpture dating from the 10th to 14th centuries is primarily the study of the civilization and culture of the Khmer empire. The Khmers inhabited and controlled parts of mainland Southeast Asia from the 6th century onward. Historically, they are best known for the era called the Angkor period (c. 802-1431), named for the Khmer capital. Angkor remains one of the most remarkable cities in world history and is noted for the vast number of breathtaking monuments constructed there from the 10th to 13th centuries. These structures range from relatively small temples to the gigantic temple mountains of Baphuon and Angkor Wat. Most of the temples are profusely decorated, and Khmer sculpture is generally dated by reference to such monuments, with classifications such as 'Baphuon style.'<P>This pair of standing figures, one male and one female, is assigned to the Bayon style, referring to Jayavarman VII's city within a city, Angkor Thom, which had as its center the Bayon, a temple mountain constructed c. 1180-c. 1230. The oval shape of the face and the mild elongation of the features are characteristic of works dating to the end of the Angkor period, and in particular at Bayon. The man wears a short skirtlike garment, or <I>sampot</I>, and a large belt decorated with an incised floral pattern. The woman wears a longer <I>sarong</I> and a prominent belt. Both wear heavy earrings, and have elongated earlobes. The statues are slightly worn; however, the stylized detailing of the woman's hair and the man's crown indicates that the garments probably had more detailing than is now evident. These figures have often been identified as a royal couple, probably owing to the lack of the distinguishing characteristics that would be associated with Hindu deities.</P>
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