.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
Inscriptions on steles constitute an important aspect of the epigraphy of Cambodia. Both Sanskrit and Khmer inscriptions coexisted until the 13th century, after which Sanskrit was no longer used.
Cambodian inscriptions are generally of a mystical and religious nature, recording meritorious actions or pious works. The Sanskrit alphabet was introduced from South India during the Chalukya-Pallava period (8th Century), later evolving into the elegant calligraphic Kamvujaksara script that emerged during the late 9th century. It is characterized by a simple and clear form of letters, harmonious in its proportions and spacing, with liberal use of gracefully curved lines to enhance the overall aesthetic effect; for a further discussion, see S. Pou, 'Khmer Epigraphy,' in H. Jessup and T. Zephir, Sculpture of Angkor and Ancient Cambodia, 1997, pp. 53-61.
The present stele is among the relatively few examples of steles including a sculptural element, either of Hindu or Buddhist content, and that may or may not be related to the actual context; cf. an 11th Century stele from Palhal, at the National Museum Phnom Penh, in H. Jessup and T. Zephir (eds.), Sculpture of Angkor and Ancient Cambodia, 1997, cat. no. 61, ill. p. 247. The latter lists a genealogy of donors and the gifts bestowed upon the ruling families up until King Harsavarman III, to which this stele is likely closely related.
Cambodian inscriptions are generally of a mystical and religious nature, recording meritorious actions or pious works. The Sanskrit alphabet was introduced from South India during the Chalukya-Pallava period (8th Century), later evolving into the elegant calligraphic Kamvujaksara script that emerged during the late 9th century. It is characterized by a simple and clear form of letters, harmonious in its proportions and spacing, with liberal use of gracefully curved lines to enhance the overall aesthetic effect; for a further discussion, see S. Pou, 'Khmer Epigraphy,' in H. Jessup and T. Zephir, Sculpture of Angkor and Ancient Cambodia, 1997, pp. 53-61.
The present stele is among the relatively few examples of steles including a sculptural element, either of Hindu or Buddhist content, and that may or may not be related to the actual context; cf. an 11th Century stele from Palhal, at the National Museum Phnom Penh, in H. Jessup and T. Zephir (eds.), Sculpture of Angkor and Ancient Cambodia, 1997, cat. no. 61, ill. p. 247. The latter lists a genealogy of donors and the gifts bestowed upon the ruling families up until King Harsavarman III, to which this stele is likely closely related.