Object Name: Five-headed Śiva (Pañcamukha Śiva)
Object Type: Iconographic deity sculpture
Materials: Sandstone (typical Khmer material)
Dimensions: Height ~120 cm; Width ~80 cm (varies by piece)
Culture Origin: Khmer Empire (Angkor, Hindu-Brahmanic tradition)
Inscriptions: No direct inscriptions on statue; references in temple epigraphy (Sanskrit-Khmer bilinguals)
Exhibition: Permanent collection, National Museum of Cambodia, Phnom Penh
Condition: Fragmentary; some heads or details worn or missing due to weathering
Conservation History: Excavated at Angkor; conserved by EFEO and Cambodian curators; treated for stone erosion in 1990s
Preservation Status: Stable but fragmentary
Preservation History: Retrieved from Angkor temples; cleaned and conserved; displayed in Phnom Penh
Retention Policy: Permanent cultural heritage collection
Archival Location: National Museum of Cambodia
Backup Status: Digital photography in museum archives
Parent Collection: Khmer Sculpture Collection
Sub Collections: Hindu Deity Images
Related Items: Linga-yoni sculptures; Śiva-Nataraja bronzes; Vishnu statues
Accessibility Features: Museum labels in Khmer, French, and English; digital photos available
Accessibility Compliance: Museum adheres to visitor accessibility standards
Copyright Status: In Copyright (Cambodian heritage)
Copyright Holder: National Museum of Cambodia
License Terms: Educational and research use only; reproduction requires permission
Jurisdiction: Cambodia
Cultural Significance: Represents one of the highest forms of Śiva iconography, symbolizing the deity’s all-encompassing nature.
Cultural Context: Used in Khmer Hindu temples as central cult statues; reflects Indian influence blended with Khmer style.
Access Statistics: Frequently studied in Khmer art scholarship
Citation Information: National Museum of Cambodia. “Five-headed Śiva (Pañcamukha Śiva).” Phnom Penh: NMC Collections.
User Feedback: Highly valued as one of the most iconic Khmer Hindu sculptures
Educational Use: Key resource for Southeast Asian art, Hindu studies, religious iconography.
Curriculum Alignment: University courses in Archaeology, Hindu Art, Khmer Studies.
Learning Objectives: 1.Identify the iconographic features of Pañcamukha Śiva. 2.Understand the integration of Indian Hindu iconography into Khmer temple art.
