Shiva

Hariharalaya (modern Roluos), Siem Reap
Sandstone, 186 cm (6')
last quarter of the 9th century
National Museum of Cambodia

This Shiva statue is an exemplar of Preah Ko style, that defines the "classical" period of Khmer art, founded by Yasovarman I in 889. Shiva worship was instituted in the Angkor period, when the Khmer kings began to identify themselves as avatars of Shiva and personally worshipped that god.