Page 138 - Bonhams Cornette Saint Cyr, Property from the estate of Jean-Pierre Rousset (1936-2021)

Lot 60 illustrated by Sherman Lee, Ancient Cambodian Sculpture, Asia House Gallery, New York,
October 1969, p.50, no.12

60
STATUE DE DIVINITÉ FÉMININE EN GRÈS, The Koh Ker temple complex, approximately 80km northeast of
POSSIBLEMENT DURGA Angkor, was the capital of the Khmer Empire from 928-944 under the
Cambodge, époque angkorienne, style du Koh Ker, Xe siècle kings Jayavarman IV and Harshavarman II. Koh Ker’s sculptural style is
distinct from those developed in Angkor’s immediate vicinity. The stone
A SANDSTONE FIGURE OF A FEMALE DEITY, POSSIBLY DURGA sculpture, often monumental in size, is imbued with a heightened
Cambodia, Angkor Period, Koh Ker style, 10th century sense of movement and a suppleness of form. The broad flap of
The robust figure stands in samabhanga, elegantly carved with hour- pleated fabric that hangs over the sash at the waist, a fashion which
glass form torso, with full breast above delicately incised lines to first appeared in the last quarter of the ninth century, then became the
indicate slight rolls of skin and sumptuous wide hips. She wears a long convention in the tenth century during the Koh Ker period and can also
straight garment (sampot) flaring slightly at the bottom, with a large be seen on the male figure from Banteay Srei.
curling flap and incised vertical lines to indicate the fine pleats, stand.
90cm (35 1/2in) high. (2). Given the dominance of the Shaivite cult throughout the Koh Ker
temple complex, it is most likely that this four-armed figure would have
€150,000 - 200,000 been Durga – the wrathful female aspect of Shiva. Compare with the
complete cast bronze figure of Durga in the Cleveland Museum of Art
Provenance: (1996.27), fig.1, and another fragmentary figure described as Durga
Robert Rousset, Paris (1901-1981), acquired from Smit Gallery, in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (2003.605), fig.2. Also
Bangkok, 19 April 1965 compare with another female deity in the Linden-Museum, Stuttgart,
Jean-Pierre Rousset, Paris (1936-2021) fig.3.

Published, Illustrated and Exhibited: The hieratic monumentality of this rare female deity is balanced against
Sherman Lee, Ancient Cambodian Sculpture, Asia House Gallery, New the soft fleshy skin and flair of the curling flap that Jean Boisselier, in
York, October 1969, p.50, no.12 his review of Koh Ker sculptural style (Asie du Sud-Est, 1966, p.248)
characterised as ‘dynamic equilibrium’.

136 | BONHAMS