Researchers from Cambodia’s National Museum found a colossal bronze Vishnu statue submerged in a stream at Kbal Romeas, at the foot of Phnom Kulen. More than 5 metres long and 4.5 metres high, the 9th- or 10th-century sculpture is the largest known Vishnu statue in Cambodia. It shows reclining Vishnu with Lakshmi at his feet and Brahma emerging from his navel. The statue rests on a pedestal representing the cosmic Ocean of Milk, decorated with carved fish. Phnom Kulen supplied sandstone used in Angkor Wat’s construction.
Submerged bronze Vishnu statue found at Phnom Kulen is Cambodia’s largest
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Key facts
- The statue is cast bronze, not a carving; it measures more than 5 metres long and 4.5 metres high.
- It is the largest known Vishnu statue in Cambodia; the Smithsonian describes it as the largest bronze ever cast in Southeast Asia.
- It dates to the 9th or 10th century A.D., around 1,000 years ago, during the Angkorian period.
- It shows reclining Vishnu with Lakshmi at his feet and Brahma emerging from his navel.
- The statue rests on a pedestal representing the cosmic Ocean of Milk, decorated with carved fish.
- It was found in a stream at Kbal Romeas, at the foot of Phnom Kulen, where sandstone was quarried for Angkor Wat’s construction.
Sources
Vishnu's Cosmic Ocean | Smithsonian Institutionsi.edu
This magnificent story of creation comes to life through the largest bronze ever cast in Southeast Asia, now on loan to us from the National Museum of Cambodia.
Cambodian sculpture, lost for centuries, on display at Mia - MinnPostminnpost.com
For hundreds of years, a seven-foot long, nearly thousand-year-old bronze sculpture on view at the Minneapolis Institute of Art lay in pieces.
Vishnu's Cosmic Ocean - Exhibitions - Asian Art Museumexhibitions.asianart.org
A thousand years ago, a colossal statue of the Hindu god Vishnu reclined on a serpent-shaped pedestal in a temple in the Cambodian kingdom of Angkor.
Vishnu's Cosmic Ocean - National Museum of Asian Artasia.si.edu
For the first time in centuries, you can experience this sculpture's full monumental scale: a breathtaking six meters long (nearly twenty feet).
Cambodian 'Vishnu's Cosmic Ocean' masterpiece goes on display ...khmertimeskh.com
A remarkable Cambodian sculpture, “Vishnu's Cosmic Ocean,” is now on display at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art in Washington ...
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The statue was originally over 5 meters long and 4.5 meters high, the news release said, adding that it is one of the treasures of the National ...
Vishnu Statue At Angkor Wat Stock Photosistockphoto.com
At the western entrance of Angkor Wat stands this 5 meters tall statue of Vishnu, known locally as Ta Reach, revered by Hindus and Buddhists alike for its ...
Largest Vishnu Temple - Mahavishnu Kshetramnaravoorsrimahavishnutemple.com
The Maha Vishnu temple in Angkor Wat, Cambodia is the largest religious monument ever built anywhere in the world. It occupies an area of 1626 sq. km.
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