Broken Brahma:

In an irregular look at the photo library of images taken by the École française d’Extrême-Orient (EFEO) of artifacts kept at the Angkor Conservation Depot in Siem Reap, I highlight unique and often surprising antiquities from the Khmer Empire. I admit to having a soft spot for images of Brahma, the lesser-known of the Trimurti of Hindu gods, alongside Vishnu and Shiva, despite holding a special place as the creator of the world. He is always depicted with four heads and this particular example caught my attention as it appears to have been found in fairly recent times, if July 1967 can be termed recent, close to the northern library (on your left) as you walk towards the main sanctuary of the Angkor Wat temple. It was pictured a year later in the collection of the Angkor Conservation, where I believe it resides today. Built in the first half of the twelfth century and dedicated to the god Vishnu by King Suryavarman II, it will come as no surprise that sculptures of the trio of Hindu deities have been uncovered at the temple, alongwith far more numerous statues of Buddha in both stone and wood. This Brahma bust is small, at just 27 centimeters in height, and is missing most of its body, with just its upper torso and two damaged arms, cut-off at the elbow, remaining, alongwith its four faces. The faces host a noticeable smile, open eyes with huge eyebrows, with large pendant earrings and each wear a decorative three-tier diadem whilst sharing a cylindrical chignon of braided hair. The only other decoration is an embellished chest chain over the right shoulder. Unfortunately, the rest of Brahma’s body is missing, lost in the mists of time. I will highlight a couple of other Brahma sculptures in further posts.
Photo: A bust of Brahma, 12th century from Angkor Wat, sandstone, H 27 cm. Found in July 1967 and pictured at Angkor Conservation in Siem Reap (DCA.5426) by EFEO in July 1968.Credit By :Andy Brouwer