MAGNIFICENT KHMER SANDSTONE RELIEF
Angkor Period 11-12th Century AD
Code: 0663 - Price POA

Extremely rare museum quality sand stone Khmer Relief depicting 'The Churning of the Ocean of Milk'. Quality piece with a beautiful surface patina. The scene would have at one time formed part of a larger Lintel situated above a doorway depicting one of the most famous scenes from Khmer mythology, that of the demons and gods churning up the sea in order to extract the elixir of immortality, coveted by both groups. The Gods depicted here holding the tail of serpent are in a tug of war, the centre of the serpent would have been coiled around Mt. Meru, at the base of this pivot would be Vishnu, incarnated as a huge turtle, his shell serving as the base for the pivot. This well proportioned section is beautifully modeled, detail is still clearly visible with no re-carving of the features. The Lintel is mounted on a museum quality metal stand and looks superb from every angle.

The patination is superb, the patina penetrates the surface of the stone, in wonderful mottled ochre hues, with a mottled variegated surface colouring, its a dry surface not altered in any way. The wear is consistent and even on the entire piece. Authentic Khmer pieces from Cambodia frequently have this mottled variegated surface colouring. The colours actually leach from both the interior of the sandstone depending upon the soil composition and minerals contained within the surrounding area in which it was buried.

The piece is in excellent condition with no cracks or repairs to the stone.
Measurements: 20" (51cm) long x 17" (43cm) high x 4" (10cm) wide
Height including quality bronze metal stand 19.5" (49.5cm).
Weight: 20 kg approx.