Estimated value: €3,500 – €5,000.
This statue was once entirely made of gold (24k Fire-gilded)
Bronze Vishnu bust with crown, originating from Cambodia (Khmer region) and dating from the 17th to early 18th century. The statue depicts Vishnu as a serene, exalted deity with closed eyes and a high kirita crown, characteristic of Vaishnava devotional representations within the late Khmer tradition. The calm facial expression and balanced proportions underscore Vishnu’s role as protector and guardian of cosmic order.
The bust is thin-walled cast using traditional pre-industrial techniques. Microscopic examination reveals fragmentary remnants of the original fire-gilding, embedded in a multi-layered patina containing cuprite and copper chlorides. The rounded wear of the gold and the natural build-up of the patina indicate long-term aging and rule out modern processing or chemical patination.
The open underside shows old core and filling residues with mineral inclusions, consistent with historical sand and clay casting. The combination of technique, material behavior, and patina confirms the authenticity and convincingly places the object before 1800. The bust was intended as a standalone devotional object for altar or temple use within the Khmer-Vaishnava context.
Dimensions: H 37.5 × W 29.5 cm
Weight: approx. 2.4 kg
Material: bronze, originally fire-gilded
Origin: Cambodia (Khmer region)
Period: 17th – early 18th century
Lot: 135
Expertise & Symbolism
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