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Lot Essay
This monumental freestanding female figure is extremely well preserved. Even both hands are still present, only missing the attributes. It is not possible to determine her exact identity. The attributes were most likely made of metal, perhaps of gold, and attached separately. A characteristic feature of this female deity is her braided and matted chignon (jatamakuta), suggesting that she represents Uma, the wife of Shiva.
Her pleated sampot flares out slightly at her ankles, which is a typical Koh Ker period characteristic. According to E. Bunker and D. Latchford in ‘Adoration and Glory: The Golden Age of Khmer Art’, Art Media Sources, Chicago, 2004, p. 156, female figures in the Koh Ker style are quite rare. They also mentioned on p. 157 of a comparable example, though that one is lacking her arms and feet.
The ruler during the Koh Ker period, Jayavarman IV, identified himself with Shiva. Based on those elements, the presented female figure can most probably be identified as Uma, Shiva’s consort.
Taking the fine quality and relative large size into consideration, it is not excluded that this sacred image is an idealized memorial statue, perhaps of a queen portrayed as Uma. Since no jewellery is depicted on the figure other than her tiara, she may have been adorned with real jewellery during specific rituals.
A technical report is available upon request.
Her pleated sampot flares out slightly at her ankles, which is a typical Koh Ker period characteristic. According to E. Bunker and D. Latchford in ‘Adoration and Glory: The Golden Age of Khmer Art’, Art Media Sources, Chicago, 2004, p. 156, female figures in the Koh Ker style are quite rare. They also mentioned on p. 157 of a comparable example, though that one is lacking her arms and feet.
The ruler during the Koh Ker period, Jayavarman IV, identified himself with Shiva. Based on those elements, the presented female figure can most probably be identified as Uma, Shiva’s consort.
Taking the fine quality and relative large size into consideration, it is not excluded that this sacred image is an idealized memorial statue, perhaps of a queen portrayed as Uma. Since no jewellery is depicted on the figure other than her tiara, she may have been adorned with real jewellery during specific rituals.
A technical report is available upon request.