Vishnu

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The statue stands tall at 1.52 meters high, carved from sandstone hauled from Prasat Thma Dap in Svay Leu district, Siem Reap province. Philippe Stern's keen eyes spotted it in a rock shelter near Prasat Rup Arak back in 1936, while searching for remnants of Jayavarman II's rule. The sculpture holds onto its attributes tightly: the right hand grasps the earth below, though worn away, and the top one clutches the disc; meanwhile, the left hand cradles a club beneath, with the top one securely holding the conch. Vishnu proudly sports a cylindrical miter, a distinctive style from the VI-VIII centuries. His ears are pierced for ornaments that have vanished, yet in pre-Angkorian art, it's common to see precious metal jewelry adorning sculptures. The work of art signals the beginning of the Angkorian period with its facial and loincloth designs featuring the characteristic "double drop anchor" motif.