CAMBODGE, KHMER, PROBABLEMENT EPOQUE BANTEAY SREI, SECONDE MOITIE DU XEME SIECLE

This statue of Nandi, the mount of the Hindu god Shiva, is usually placed facing the shrine of this god. In both the Pre-Angkor as well the Angkor period he enjoyed a cult status. Unfortunate it is not possible to say whether this sculpture was placed outdoors or inside the building. However taking it's fine condition into consideration there is a fair possibility that it once stood inside. Often these free carved Nandi statues are represented reclining down with the body slightly bending to one side. The carver of this fine specimen was able to create a realistic example with a fluid modelling of the body, showing folds of the dewlap, short horns, pricked ears, detailed hoofs and curling tail. The ornaments give the holy quadruped an earthly feeling. The fine detailing of the Nandi as well the use of the very fine sandstone material suggest a Banteay Srei style of the second half of the tenth century. It was during this period that the Shiva cult flourished and for sure his mount Nandi was as popular. An earlier sandstone Nandi is published by H. I. Jessup and Th. Zephir in 'Angkor et dix siecles d'art khmer', Reunion des Musees Nationaux, Paris 1997, plate 24.