1- History
a- Pre-Angkorian Period (Ist-XVIII Centuries)
At this time Cambodia was called “the country of mountains” or Nokor Phnom. The Chinese called it Fou-nan. Afterwards, Chen-La, the vassal of Fou-nan, conquered it and divided the country in two: the Chen-LA of Land
(that did not flood) and the Chen-La of Water (that flooded).
b- Angkorian Period (IX- XIII Centuries)
At this period Cambodia became an empire extending to today’s Thailand. Historical, archeological and literary evidence proves that at that time Cambodia was a high civilization whose influence extended to other countries
in Southeast Asia.
c- Post- Angkorian Period (XIV-XX Centuries)
The period is marked by the decline of the grand Angkorian era. Angkor was abandoned in 1431. The most important events are internal crises and invasions from neighboring countries. Thailand occupies part of northern Cambodia until 1907.
Because of these crises, the capital is moved on various occasions: from Angkor to Kompong Cham, to Long Vek,
to Uddong and finally to Phnom Penh. These events weaken Cambodia and almost result in the country’s disappearance from the world map.
2- Religion
it is not clear which of the great religions – Hinduism or Buddhism – arrived first in Cambodia.
a- Pre-Angkorian Period
According to the inscriptions and archeological findings, Hinduism and Buddhism played the same role. Many brick temples were dedicated to Hindu gods and Buddhist Mahayana divinities.
b- Angkorian Period
Hinduism and Buddhism remain important religions for Cambodia. At the end of this period (XIIIth Century), a great Cambodian King, Jayavarman VII, followed the Buddhist Mahayana faith. One of the most important events during his reign was the birth of Theravada Buddhism (Singhalese Buddhism), which has made Cambodia what it is today. This event is marked by this king who sent his son, Tamalinda, to study Theravada Buddhism in Ceylan.3 Historians mentioned that Tamalinda brought Theravada Buddhism to Cambodia for the first time and developed it. This Buddhism is based on the pali cannon. Tcheou Ta-Kouan, a Chinese envoy who came to Cambodia in 1296, mentions this Buddhism at the time. Based on the inscriptions of Wat Nokor, Jean Filliozat notes that the presence of Theravada Buddhism probably occurred at the end of the XIII Century.
c- Post-Angkorian Period
The most important events of this period are the abandonment of Hinduism and Mahayana Buddhism, which had been replaced by Theravada Buddhism. The influence of this new religion pushes the Khmers to build vihara(Temple), Pagodas and Buddhist statues.
Moreover, they modified some of the Hindu temples to turn them into Buddhist temples. These temples include Angkor Wat (north gallery), Preah Palilay, Baphuon, Banteay Kdei, and North Thnot Chum (Kompong Thom). The process of transformation is marked by the construction of a vihara next to or within the Hindu temple enclosure.
3- Art
The ancient Khmers left many masterpieces of sculpture and archaeology highlighting Hindu and Buddhist religious practices. These are considered Khmer art. In this sense, Khmer art is a religious art. For this text we study only statuary.
a- Pre-Angkorian Period
Different names have been assigned to the various styles of classical Khrmer art. For this period, there are four: Phnom da, Sambor Prei Kuk, Prei Khmeng and Kompong Preah. The national Museum of Phnom Penh has Hindu and Buddhist statues in the collection in the Phnom Da style, Lokesvara for Mahayana Buddhism, and the Buddha for Hinayana Buddhism. The statues are carved in sandstone.
b- Angkorian Period (IX-XIII Centuries)
There are ten styles: Kulen, Preak Ko, Bakheng, Kok Ker, Pre Rup, Banteay Sri, Khleang, Baphuon, Angkor Wat and Bayon. Khmer angkorian and pre-angkorian art are classical arts. In angkorian art there are two important styles that stand out: the Angkor Wat and Bayon styles. These are the basic styles for this study of post-angkorian Buddha statues. We have not discussed Hindu divinities or Mahayana Buddha statues, only certain Hinayana Buddha statues.
The Angkor Wat style Buddha statues in the Museum’s collection are for the most part adorned. These are usually made of stone or bronze. There are only two wooden sculptures. We note that the adorned Buddha of this period wears many accessories: mukuta, ear pendants, pectoral collars, armbands, bracelets on the wrists and ankles, etc.
One of the most important items for a comparative study is the mukuta. It is composed of a broad wide diadem adorned with pearls, diamond shapes, and a serrated design interspersed with blue lotus flowers. These play an important role in the decorative pattern. The cone-shaped hair cover is decorated with layered lotus petals. Altogether these comprise the basics elements of the evolution of the tip of the mukuta. The characteristics of the Angkor Wat style are rigidity and a frontal perspective.
The main characteristic of the Bayon style is naturalism: the face shows a semi-smiling expression and rounded cranial protuberance. We note that classical Khmer art emphasizes naturalism and rigidity (Buddha), for example the length of the fingers are unequal.
c- Post-Angkorian Period
This period dates from the abandonment of Angkor in 1431 to the XX century. For structures that do not require hard materials like sandstone (vihara, kuti, pagoda, image of the Buddha) or in case of lack of sandstone, Cambodians used wood as a substitute. This does not mean that there are no pieces made of stone – these do exist, but there are very few.
Other masterpieces include the bas-relief of temples where an art style inspired by Theravada Buddhism begins
to appear. Despite its hardness, wood is much more delicate than stone and is easily damaged by nature and other factors. As a result, very few wooden sculptures remain today.
In addition, during the Pol Pot Regime, there was a general destruction of artworks in the Pagodas, considered centers of cultural heritage because Cambodians do not usually keep art objects in their home. Because of this,
the lack of post-angkorian art creates many challenges for researchers..
