Rearing Lion at The Guimet Museum, Paris

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The Terrace of the Elephants (Khmer: Préah Leân Jalaa Dâmrei) is a significant part of Angkor Thom, a massive ruined temple complex located in Cambodia. Much of the original structure was built with organic materials that have long since vanished, leaving behind only the foundation platforms of the complex as remnants. The terrace gets its name from the striking high relief carvings of elephants on its eastern face. Alongside these majestic creatures are sculptures like this lion, depicted in a complicated and dynamic posture playing with negative space, an incredibly rare sight for full sculptures from that time period. This lion sculpture symbolizes protection of the temple. Louis Delaporte was a renowned French explorer and artist who played a pivotal role in collecting and documenting Khmer art. His collection formed the foundation of exhibitions in Paris, initially at the 1878 Paris Exposition and later at the Palais du Trocadéro, where he served as chief curator of the Musée Indochinois. After his death in 1925, his collection was moved to the Guimet Museum in 1927.