Object Name: Vishnu Statue
Object Type: Hindu deity image
Materials: Sandstone (sometimes bronze)
Dimensions: Height ~150–200 cm; width ~70 cm (depending on statue)
Culture Origin: Khmer Empire (influenced by Indian Gupta / Pala styles)
Inscriptions: Some statues have Sanskrit-Khmer inscriptions identifying Vishnu or temple donors
Exhibition: On display at the National Museum of Cambodia, Phnom Penh; also notable examples at Angkor National Museum (Siem Reap) and Musée Guimet (Paris)
Condition: Fragmentary; some statues missing arms or heads due to looting and erosion
Conservation History: Excavated at Angkor temples; conserved by EFEO; stabilized and restored in 20th century
Preservation Status: Stable but fragmentary
Preservation History: Excavated and transferred to museum collections in early 20th century; conserved periodically
Retention Policy: Permanent
Archival Location: National Museum of Cambodia
Backup Status: High-resolution digital photographs and 3D scans exist
Parent Collection: Khmer Sculpture Collection
Sub Collections: Hindu Deity Images
Related Items: Shiva statues; Vishnu reclining on Ananta; Lintel carvings of Vishnu scenes
Accessibility Features: Labeling in Khmer, English, French; digital catalog photographs
Accessibility Compliance: Partial WCAG 2.0 compliance for digital archives
Copyright Status: In Copyright (Cambodian heritage)
Copyright Holder: National Museum of Cambodia
License Terms: For research/educational use; reproduction requires approval
Jurisdiction: Cambodia
Cultural Significance: Vishnu is one of the principal Hindu gods (the Preserver); his statues were placed in temples to signify divine protection of the kingdom
Cultural Context: Khmer kings associated themselves with Vishnu as protector and cosmic preserver (e.g., Angkor Wat originally dedicated to Vishnu).
Access Statistics: Highly requested by art historians and Southeast Asian scholars
Citation Information: National Museum of Cambodia. “Vishnu Statue (Khmer, Angkor period).” Phnom Penh: NMC Collections.
User Feedback: Iconic and admired as one of the finest examples of Khmer Hindu art
Educational Use: Southeast Asian art, Hindu iconography, archaeology studies.
Curriculum Alignment: University courses in Religious Studies, Asian Art History.
Learning Objectives: 1.Identify attributes of Vishnu in Khmer iconography. 2.Compare Khmer depictions of Vishnu with Indian prototypes.
