Khmer sculpture 'Crouching VISHVAKARMA' patinated bronze, Cambodia 12th century

Description Beautiful 12th-century Khmer bronze depicting Vishvakarma, the celestial architect in Hindu tradition. Vishvakarma is often venerated as the divine craftsman and builder of the heavens, a key figure in Indian mythology. Vishvakarma's crouching posture, probably designing or preparing an architectural work, echoes his function as creator and master of divine craftsmanship. The detail in the sculpture is exceptional, testifying to the craftsmanship of the Khmer period. Fine facial features, precise hand gestures and attention to body detail are typical of religious sculpture from this period, when idealism and balance were essential. The bronze, with its patina of age, lends the sculpture a warm depth and texture, amplifying the figure's divine aura. Proportions are harmonious and movement is suggested by delicate lines, giving the whole a great fluidity despite the small size of the object. Sculptures from this period, particularly those depicting divinities and celestial figures, were often used in religious or cultic contexts, serving to represent the interaction between the divine and the material world. This object thus embodies not only Khmer art in all its splendor, but also a profound cosmological vision, where the spiritual and aesthetic dimensions merge perfectly. Cambodia, Khmer, 12th century A. D. Height 7.5 cm (without base). Conservation: Intact and very beautiful. Provenance: Belgian private collection formed between 1975 and 2009 by Madame D. An invoice and certificate of authenticity will accompany this object.